security Archives • Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop

Ten Ways Technology Helps You at Having a Healthy Lifestyle

Advances in communication technology have made it more difficult to leave your work in the office. After all, your boss can reach you at any time on your smart phone! Fortunately, technology also provides ways to help improve your work/life balance.

1. It allows you to spend more time at home.

Image source: http://running-money.com

Technology allows you to telecommute and work from home, which means that you can save time on commuting that you can spend with your loved ones. You also don’t need to wake up as early, which provides you with a little more sleeping time.

2 . It allows mothers to earn income while staying at home with their children.

Image source: http://wahm.co.nz/

Technology provides stay-at-home mothers with a wide range of income opportunities, such as selling products through social media or working on a freelance basis for their former employers. Thus, mothers can balance income-generating activities with their parenting duties.

3. It provides more opportunities for workplace development.

Work-At-Home-Tips-with-The-Home-Office-Cabin

Image source: http://thehomeofficecabin.co.uk

Instead of spending time at the office training to learn new skills, you can study training modules on your tablet or listen to audio lessons. This not only allows you to learn at your own pace without the pressure to keep up with faster learners that you may experience during workshops with limited time frames, but also provides you with more personal time that you can spend with your family or doing leisure activities.

4. It allows you to be more flexible with your schedule.

how-flexible-should-your-work-schedule-be1

Image source: http://tkographix.com

Instead of being forced to work long hours at the office, you can take some work home with you. Of course, you also have to know how to unplug in order to maximize your personal time.

5. It helps you to stay fit.

Image source: http://jacksonville.com

Instead of having to go to the gym, there are apps that you can download on your smartphone that provide you with fitness programs that are easy to do and take only a short time to complete.

6. It makes it easier to stay connected with your loved ones.

Image source: http://www.mylankareview.com

While face-to-face interaction is still ideal, when this is not possible, texting and other forms of digital communication allow you to keep in touch even when you’re not physically together.

7. It allows you to learn while you’re commuting.

Image source: http://time.com

The US Census estimates that Americans spend an average of fifty minutes a day traveling to and from work. You can make good use of this time by listening to audio lessons that can help you upgrade your skills.

8. It helps make you more efficient.

Image source: https://www.eventbrite.com.au

If you have a million things to keep track of, apps and other productivity tools on your computer can remind you of deadlines as well as organizing your schedule so you can use your time more effectively.

9. It helps you avoid unnecessary meetings.

Image source: http://business.financialpost.com

A lot of time during the workday may be wasted in face-to-face meetings with team members; you can avoid this by using collaborative tools that allow you to keep in touch with individual members so that you can stay on top of your projects without having to talk personally with them.

10. It helps you save time on chores.

Image source: http://creativity-online.com

Instead of going to the supermarket or grocery for routine trips, you can order what you need online and have it delivered straight to your home.

A lot of people believe that technology forces workers to struggle with maintaining their work-life balance. But technology can also provide workers with the flexibility to adjust their schedules without work having to intrude into their personal lives. It really depends on how you use technology and how you can ‘unplug’ yourself when you’re not working.

Nine Stress-Free Budgeting Tips for New Parents

Having a baby can be one of the most joyous events of your life. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most expensive, since all the costs of raising a baby can really add up. However, there are many things that you can do to save on expenses and make paying for your baby more affordable.

Image source: http://plungedindebt.com

1. Prioritize your spending. Many parents feel that they need to have everything they will need for baby ready by the time he or she gets home. But it would be better for your budget if you prioritized immediate needs and put aside less urgent expenses. For example, instead of buying a crib, the baby can sleep in a bassinet or cradle in your room, and you can postpone your purchase for a few months.

Image source: www.productions.eiradio.com

2. Choose gear that you can convert as your child grows. For example, you can buy a crib that can convert into a baby bed or a stroller that changes to accommodate your baby as he grows into a toddler. If you plan on having more children, you can also choose strollers that convert to accommodate two or more babies. You can also buy clothes that are one size larger since your baby will quickly grow into them.

Image source: www.which.co.uk

3. Buy baby products in gender-neutral colors. Instead of buying blue or pink items depending on the gender of your child, choose items that are green or yellow, for example. This will allow the gear to be passed on and used by future children.

Image source: www.fromfaye.com

4. Skip nursing-specific clothes. If you are breast-feeding your child, you don’t need to buy clothes that are specifically designed for nursing mothers. Instead, blouses that button in front and tank tops will do. Or you can simply cover up with a scarf when nursing your baby.

Image source: http://www.tobethode.com

5. Buy items in bulk. This is a simple budgeting tip that new parents should adopt. For example, since you will be using a lot of diapers, there is no reason why you should not buy them in bulk quantities. In addition, you’ll be saving time and money since you won’t have to replenish these items as often.

Image source: www.allnaturalsavings.com

6. Consider making your own baby food. Doing this can also be healthier for your baby. All you have to do is invest in a small food processor and you can be sure that your baby has a regular supply of fresh food made with fruits and vegetables.

Image source: www.popsugar.com

7. Share products with your baby. You don’t need to buy products that are marketed as being for babies, such as detergents and body washes. Many of these items that are made for adults are actually also suitable for infants, as long as you make sure that they are free of ingredients that could irritate your little one as well as being gentle.

Image source: http://abundance.coop

8. Look for online flash sales. Shopping online can help you save money and you can enjoy even bigger savings if you encounter online flash sales. In addition, you can also look for coupons for products that you commonly use that you can redeem online, or print out and take to a physical store.

Image source: http://www.rewerstiemer.com

9. Ask about tax deductions. In addition to the $4,000 deduction you can claim for each dependent child, there may be other tax exemptions that you can qualify for, such as the Child and Dependent Care Credit if you pay someone to take care of your child.

The best way to ensure that the costs of having a baby will not be ruinous to your finances is to prepare in advance. Before you give birth, estimate how much you will spend on baby costs so that you can plan in advance how you will deal with them.

Five Reasons Why You Should Value Work-Life Balance Over Cash Bonuses

An increasing number of workers are starting to recognize that success in their careers should not be measured by how much money they are earning, but how successfully they have achieved a work-life balance. According to the 2013 Defining Success survey conducted by global professional services company Accenture, the majority of respondents said that their top definition of career success is achieving work-life balance, ranking higher than money, autonomy and recognition. In fact, more than half of the respondents actually said that they refused a job simply because they were concerned with the negative impact it might have on their work-life balance.

Here are some reasons why achieving this balance is more important than a big paycheck.

Image source: www.huffingtonpost.com

1. Money does not buy happiness. Many people make a lot of sacrifices for a job that offers them a high salary. But is the sacrifice they are making worth the cost to their relationships and their personal life? In fact, as long as their basic needs are met and they feel part of a supportive community, many relatively poor people are actually happier than their more moneyed counterparts.

Image source: http://onlyayurved.net

2. You live a healthier life. People in high-paying jobs usually have to work longer hours or have more responsibilities. This means that they have to spend more time at the office or doing work, at the expense of their personal life. Thus, while they are earning more, they are usually less fulfilled. There is also a big risk that they will burn out and end up not being as effective as they need to be in their work, which can affect their prospects for a promotion or for increased responsibilities.

Image source: www.thepharmaletter.com

3. You learn to appreciate what you have. People often dream of having a high-paying job because they think of all the things they can buy for their family if they have more money. But what would be the point of giving your loved ones all these possessions if you don’t have the time to spend with them? In fact, many children who grew up with parents who worked all the time at high paying jobs would later say that they would have preferred to have more time with them than to have a lot of expensive toys, clothes and other possessions.

Image source: www.huffingtonpost.com

4. It makes you work better. When you’re spending nearly all of your time at the office, with very little left for your personal life, there is a big risk that you will not have anything new you can bring to your work. If you have more time to pursue personal interests and learn new things, you can become more creative and bring a fresh perspective to your work. But if you are stuck in a rut, it is highly unlikely that you will come up with the new ideas that can keep you competitive in the workplace.

Image source: http://www.fastcompany.com

5. You will regret sacrificing your personal life for your work. At the end of your working life, when you’re finally forced to retire, you will not say to yourself, I wish I had spent more time at the office. Rather, you will regret that your personal ties with your friends and family are not as strong as they could be, because you were not able to spend time with them. Do you want to suffer from this regret?

While in today’s society it is important to have a good salary to meet all of our and our family’s needs, ultimately, money is not everything. To live a good life, it is essential to find that balance where we are fulfilled in our career and our personal lives.

Step by Step Guide on How to Get the IDs That You Need

In the Philippines, it is important to make sure that you get all those government-approved, valid IDs. Why? Well, simply because you could use them for a lot of things, including going to work, opening a bank account, getting insurance—and so much more!

So before you say, ang hirap naman kumuha ng ID, read on, and you’ll learn exactly what you have to do to get some of those IDs that you need!

Barangay Clearance

Image source : http://philpad.com

Of course, it all starts at the barangay. This one’s easy, all you have to do is:

1. Go to the Barangay Hall and tell them where you’re going to use the clearance for (i.e., for Identification Purposes, Postal ID, Affidavits, Passport, etc.)

2. Get a Cedula (Community Tax Certificate) from your Barangay, and give this to the officer.

3. Pay the necessary application fees, and you’re done!

Now that you have your Barangay Clearance, you could go and get other IDs!

Postal ID

Image source : http://usseek.com

To get the new Philippine Postal ID (which lasts for 3 years!), you need to make sure that you have a 1) Proof of Address which could be any of the following: Barangay Clearance, Credit Card Statement, Water or Electric Bill, and 2) Proof of Identify (birth certificate, valid passport, driver’s license, etc.)

To get the ID, just:

1. Download and fill-up the application form from this address https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/files/phlpost_docs_2015313_93854122b2.pdf, or get one from the nearest post office.

2. Prepare and submit the necessary documents at the post office.

3. Wait for your documents to be screened, and then get your photo/biometrics taken at the ID Capture Station (also in the post office).

Wait for your Postal ID to be delivered. For Metro Manila, waiting time will be 5 days; 7 for municipalities and major cities, and 15 for provinces and remote barangays.

SSS ID

Image source : http://forum.iask.ca

To get your SSS ID, you need to have one of the following:

Passport, Driver’s License, Seaman’s Book, or PRC License. If those are not available, you could bring: Voter’s ID, GSIS ID Card, UMID Card, NBI Clearance, School/Company ID, Postal ID, or TOR.

Then, follow the instructions below:

1. Go to the nearest SSS branch and then submit the application form (you could fill it up at the same branch), together with valid identification (the ones given above).

2. Wait for your biometrics to be taken.

3. Wait for the acknowledgment slip to be given to you.

4. Wait for at least a week for your SSD ID to be delivered to your address.

Philippine Passport

Image source : http://www.philembassy.no

Even if you’re not going to travel yet, it’s good to have a Philippine Passport because this will allow you to apply for other IDs in the future. For this, you have to set up an appointment. Just visit this website http://passport.com.ph/choose-branch.

After that, do the following:

1. Confirm your appointment and make sure that you will personally arrive.

2. Present your application form (taken from DFA Appointment System), together with SECPA Birth Certificate, or a copy of the birth certificate from the civil registry.

3. Present a valid ID (i.e., SSS, Postal, Driver’s License, etc.)

That’s it, you could now get your passport!

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll easily get your IDs without any hassle!

Be on the Right Track: 7 Things You Need to Know about Personal Finance

Handling money could be a tricky thing, so you have to make sure that you are aware of your personal finances. Otherwise, other people might take advantage of you.

There are 7 important things you need to know about Personal Finance—and you’ll find them all right here!

Make sure that you earn more than you spend

Let’s put it this way: What do you think will happen if you spend more than what you earn? Easy—you won’t be able to balance your finances, and soon enough you will find yourself in a pool of debt—and that’s not really something you want to happen.

Save early and it will turn into a habit

As with most things in life, the earlier you start, the easier you adopt the habit. It’s the same with saving money

If you started saving money way back in grade school—even by just using a piggy bank—you’d apply the habit for most of your life. The money that you save could be used for emergency funds—which everyone really needs! You don’t have to save too much—just save a little each day and you’ll surely have enough money to get you through the rainy days!

Be diverse

This means that you shouldn’t put your money in one place alone. The thing about life is that you never really know what’s going to happen—and putting your money in a single place is a no-no because there’s also a tendency that you might lose them all at once.

Therefore, make sure that you put your money in at least two banks—and even in separate wallets, if you can!

Protect yourself from phishing/scam artists

So many people end up being victimized by scam artists who ask for their credit card or bank account details online. You can protect yourself by making sure you change your PIN from time to time, and that you do not use the same passwords for all your email/online accounts. Always review bank statements, and don’t give credit card and extreme personal details to others unless absolutely necessary.

Save up for the rainy days

The thing with people is that they are so scared of scenarios that put their lives in danger—but they really don’t do anything about it. Therefore, you have to make sure that you could get money somewhere when emergencies come up.

Invest in emergency insurance funds, disability insurance, health insurance, and even homeowners insurance if you can. What matters is you make sure that you won’t end up with nothing—especially during emergencies.

Make use of automated savings

Automated savings means that for each paycheck you receive, a part of it would automatically go to a savings account. This way, you won’t have a hard time putting the money on your own to the account—and you won’t be tempted to use it, too!

Track your credit standing

This is all about how companies or lenders would trust you if ever you’d need help from them one day. This would also show you how you’ve been spending, and how much credit you can have. To check, you can try talking to your bank as they may have available data.

Be knowledgeable about personal finance and you’ll have a hassle-free, financially stable life!

Image Source:
http://www.iqsintl.com/index.php/franchise-opportunities/earning-potential/
http://theodysseyonline.com/memphis/saving-money-for-college-students/223569
http://www.survivinggrays.com/make-extra-money-as-a-medical-student-resident/
https://vulcanpost.com/75041/scam-striping-naked-for-sad-and-lonely-beauty/
http://www.livingrichcheaply.com/2014/05/14/how-much-is-in-your-wallet/
http://www.coffeusa.org/when-banks-cost-you-money/
http://en.yelp.com.ph/biz/cebuana-lhuillier-para%C3%B1aque

Affordable Life and Non-Life Insurance Now Available for Filipinos

Insurance products are still a bit foreign to the majority of common Filipinos. There is a general lack of awareness among the poor. Not only are they not aware of the existence of these products, they also do not perceive the value and importance of such in their lives.

In Comes Microinsurance

image source: youngpinoymillionaire.com

Of course, everyone tried to remedy the situation. Thus, we see an increased proliferation of TV commercials and other ad campaigns in favor of affordable life and non-life insurance products. According to the Insurance Commission (IC), there were about 28 million Filipinos already covered by microinsurance as of 2014.

That is a significant figure. Yes, it accounts for a small portion of the general population in the Philippines, yet it is already a significant increase compared to the dismal figures in the past few years. It is worth mentioning that most microinsurance providers in the country only offer a token coverage of PHP 5,000 to PHP 10,000 per household, which consumers may not find attractive.

However, if you consider that sum in the hands of a tricycle driver or say the fisher folk, it is already a considerable amount in case the bread winner isn’t able to provide for the family at the moment. That little money is insignificant to well-paid corporate types, but in the hands of the Filipino poor, that money will save lives.

Available Insurance for the Filipino Masses

image source: roberts.com.ph

Since there is a thrust to provide more affordable insurance products to the Filipino masses, they should be made aware of the available types of products that will be helpful to them. The common folks should at least know the difference between life and non-life insurance.

To make things simple, life insurance means that in case the person who bought the insurance product dies, the insurance company who sold the product will give a certain amount of money to the beneficiaries that the buyer has chosen previously.

Non-life insurance is almost the same except that one’s life is not the thing being insured. It is applied to property such as a house, boat, motorcycle, car, or truck. In case these things get damaged or destroyed, the insurance company will provide the buyer of the insurance a certain amount of money to cover the loss. All insurance products in the country fall into either category. The idea, of course, is that the future is uncertain. Thus, an insurance product can be a big help when disaster and loss strike.

Micro Insurance in the Philippines

image source: cebuanalhuillier.com

Microinsurance is definitely good news for the Filipinos. It is interesting that smaller financial players, including pawnshops with a nationwide presence, have taken up the role of delivering these much needed products.

For instance, Cebuana Lhuillier offers a basic non-life insurance product that costs only PHP 25. It covers the insured for four months, offering up to PHP 20,000 for dismemberment or accidental death.

They also offer a group accident insurance for employees that costs only PHP 210, which will be valid for 1 year. Other insurance products include those for security guards, students, home insurance, and insurance for barangay police.

Again, the coverage amounts will seem small, but they’re substantial in the hands of the masang Pinoy. These are investments that the Filipinos should be aware of.

Make sure that you earn more than you spend

Save early and it will turn into a habit

Be diverse

Protect yourself from phishing/scam artists

Save up for the rainy days

Make use of automated savings

Track your credit standing

In Comes Microinsurance

Available Insurance for the Filipino Masses

Micro Insurance in the Philippines

CORPORATE AGENT PARTNERS

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

List of Accepted Government/ Valid IDs

IDs Accepted