Just Jewels celebrates 10th Anniversary with Mega sale

As part of Just Jewels’ 10th anniversary, A three-day Mega sale was held last November 26 to 28 at the Networld Hub IN Makati City. Suki Alajeras, loyal clients, and walk ins were given up to 50 percent discount on Just Jewels’ selection of over 1000 unique designs making sure there is a perfect piece for every uniquely beautiful woman. Indeed, it was a day worth celebrating uniqueness as over 560 jewelry enthusiasts flocked the venue.

This event was made possible through the support and coordination of Marketing, Security, and Operations Special Divisions.

To see event photos, go to the Just Jewels official website.

 

How Pinoy Households Can Save More through Proper Budgeting

Does it feel like your hard earned money just slips through your hands during payday? Do you feel like you’re not earning enough no matter how hard you work? It is sad to say that many Filipinos feel this way. However, the good news is that there is a simple solution to help you save more and prepare for the future.

The Magic of Budgeting

money budgeting

image source: boy-kuripot.com

Everyone knows what a budget is. Even the old man selling balut at night knows what it is and what it is for. It’s a pretty common concept yet, unfortunately, only a few Filipinos apply it in their lives. You can ask your friends or coworkers if they use a budget. You can also ask them if they stick to it – meaning they strictly observe their budgets. Prepare to be disappointed when you find out that not many use or even have a budget.

No matter how simple it may sound, making a budget and being strict about it will provide many life changing benefits. For one thing, it will help you find out where your money went. It will also be an eye opener showing you what your real priorities are. Finally, making a budget will help you save money.

Benefits of Proper Budgeting

beneftis of budget

image source: pinoy-canada.com

Proper budgeting can actually benefit Pinoy households in many ways, other than the ways that we have already mentioned above. Let’s go over a few more of them:

*Practice self-control*: Making a budget will help you practice self-control. You will be making a list of items you need to spend on and opposite that will be the amount you have allocated for each item. Anything that is not in the list will not be considered – no matter how much your son or daughter begs for that new cellphone.

*You can provide funds for the neglected aspects of your life*: When was the last time your wife had money to go to the parlor to make herself look pretty? When was daddy able to have a really good haircut? When did you last have enough money to go to the dentist? Proper budgeting will help you allocate and save money for some of the things you may have neglected because you focus on work too much.

*A budget will help you identify your needs from your wants*: When you outline a budget, you will have to identify your needs and wants. Your list of needs represent your necessities – things that you can never live without, just like your water bill, electricity bill, food, etc.

Your list of wants represents items that aren’t that necessary but you will want to spend money on anyway, if you can. You can still live a happy life without the latest Samsung phone in the market, right? You will spend money first on your needs list, and only when that list has been covered will you spend money on your wants list.

*Budgeting for the unexpected*: Having a budget will help you set aside money for unexpected expenses like a child getting sick, an accident, or any incident you were not expecting. This part of your budget is called the “emergency fund.” It’s a little amount that you hold on to and never spend unless absolutely necessary.

You start with a small amount, and then next payday you add to it. Any excess funds you save during this payday will also go into that emergency fund. Your emergency fund will be a big source of comfort when an actual emergency comes around – at least you won’t have to borrow money from anyone just to pay for hospital bills, etc.

*Plan for future needs*: You will eventually retire from work but you will still need money. Most people rely on their kids when they’re elderly. However, if you have been following a budget your whole life, you should have some savings that you can use when you’re retired.

Preparing for Rainy Days

A budget is simply a tool that will be useful to you if you live by it. It will eventually teach Filipino households some financial discipline. By strictly adhering to it, Filipinos will only be helping themselves by saving more money for present and future needs through proper budgeting.

Common Diseases and Illnesses during the Rainy Season and How to Prevent it

The first step to avoid getting sick during the rainy season is to know what possible diseases you can get from the rain.

1. The Common Cold (“Sipon”)

Let us start with the most popular. Aside from the sneezing and dizziness, it’s what comes out of your nose that ruins your poise (“nakakasira ng poise”). It costs you a lot of money on tissue paper and it also destroys your dates with your girlfriend or boyfriend. You are lucky if you do not get a sore throat and fever, too.

Avoiding common colds needs only simple steps that many people always forget to do: covering the mouth when sneezing (“pag bumabahin”), washing your hands properly, and not touching your face. It is also important to get enough sleep, so that your immune system will be strong enough not to get infected by any virus (“para hindi tamaan ng sipon”).

2. Dengue

dengue

image source: dietexpert4u.com

Now, this sickness will make you afraid. It is caused by a mosquito bite. It is dangerous. The symptoms are hard to detect. In fact, it can take as long as two weeks before you see the primary symptoms. By then, it is already too late. The disease has already spread all over your body (“malala na”). The danger signs are muscle pains, fever, and fatigue. Rashes (“butlig”) can appear a few days after the fever starts.

Prevention of dengue is important. If you have things around your house that are constantly in water (for example: fish, and plants), always keep the water clean. Beware of possible mosquito breeding grounds (“ingatan na huwag pamugaran ng lamok”).

3. Cholera

Drinking water infected by bacteria called Vibrio cholerae is the cause of cholera. The disease causes vomiting and severe diarrhea (“pagsusuka at pagtatae”), which can lead to dehydration afterwards.

The most important thing to do to avoid cholera is to make sure that your food is clean and safe to eat. Make sure that you know where you get your food and water. The rainy season can bring a cholera epidemic, so it is important to know the areas near your place that are already affected by cholera so you can avoid going there.

4. Typhoid

typhoid

image source: foodsafetynews.com

Like cholera, typhoid is caused by food and water that have been contaminated (“maruming pagkain at tubig”). It’s even more dangerous because it’s highly infectious (“mabilis makahawa”). If one member of the family gets sick with typhoid, quarantine him or her so other family members will not be infected (“ibukod ang may sakit para hindi makahawa”).

Luckily, there are vaccines that can prevent typhoid. But, once you already have typhoid, it must be carefully treated and monitored (“maingat na gamutin at bantayan”). Dehydration is a danger, so make sure to drink a lot of fluids. Even after the patient gets well, he must still be careful because the disease can come back even after only two weeks.

These four diseases are all preventable and treatable. There is no reason for you not to enjoy the rain. For many Filipinos, rain is cleansing, and as long as you are careful about your health, you can enjoy and be happy when it is raining.

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

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

nonlife insurance

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

micro insurance cebuana

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.

25 Easy Money Saving Tips for the 20-Something

To be in your 20s means you still have a lot of time to work and save money. Unfortunately, many Pinoys do not save. They waste all their income on unimportant and fleeting things (“sa mga walang kwentang bagay”) when they should invest or save a part of their salary for the future.

Here are 25 tips that you can apply in your life to start saving right away:

Set Up Your Savings:

save money for the future

image source: static.rappler.com

1. Set aside money for things that can help you in the future. For example: emergency fund, life insurance, and investments.

2. Set a daily allowance for your transportation, food, and other necessities, and a little extra money for emergencies. Bring *only* that daily allowance when you go to work.

3. Set a savings target amount, and make a long-term plan to save that amount. For example: If you want to open a P10,000 investment account in 3 months, set aside P35 every day for 3 months.

4. Set a deadline for each savings goal and mark it on your planner or
calendar.

5. Use a smart phone app such as *Monefy * to record all your daily
expenses.

6. Open a savings account separate from your payroll ATM. If possible, open a passbook account without an ATM card.

7. Do automatic transfers from your payroll to your savings account to avoid temptation to spend (*para makaiwas sa tukso*).

8. Talk to a financial expert and ask what type of investment is best for you. It can be stocks, money market, mutual funds, etc.

Shop Wisely:

shopping

image source: static.rappler.com

9. Always prepare a grocery list before going to the grocery store.

10. Keep a checklist on your phone of items you need to buy at the mall so you buy what is necessary.

11. Cut back on expenses that are not important, such as expensive coffee, so you can save money.

12. Watch out for promos and incentive programs for things you need to buy, such as toilet paper, and other regular supplies. Set aside money to buy in bulk (*maramihan*).

13. Cut your credit card. If you will not use your credit card for business, always pay in cash instead.

14. Do not buy something when you can borrow, such as books.

15. Buy prepaid load for your phone. It is only ok to get a postpaid plan if you will use it for your business.

16. Keep a list of cheap restaurants with delicious food on your phone. Do not eat in expensive
restaurants.

17. Invest in high quality clothes that you can wear again and again for many years; buy from good clothing brands such as H&M. Prioritize timeless and flexible designs.

Change Your Lifestyle:

change your lifestyle

image source: saveup.com

18. Save money with the help of your friends. Save money on gasoline by car-pooling. Save money on food by cooking meals and eating together.

19. Do not go shopping or eating out on your free time. Think of how you will earn more money instead.

20. Cook food in bulk on Sundays and bring packed lunch (*baon*) to work.

21. Take care of your health. For example, take vitamin supplements so you will not get sick.

22. Limit your entertainment expenses. Find cheap ways to enjoy with friends and family. For example: playing board games and watching free movies.

23. Read and listen to experts on personal money matters, especially Filipino mentors like Francisco Colayco and Chinkee Tan.

24. Copy the habits of rich people who are careful in spending their money like Lucio Tan. Don’t copy celebrities who spend a lot of money on luxury (*luho*).

25. If you want to spend on luxury, earn more money by getting a sideline.

Filipinos like to live like a millionaire for a day, but if you start saving and investing your money now, in the near future, you will be a millionaire for life! Don’t waste any more time and start saving now!

CORPORATE AGENT PARTNERS

  • ACTION.ABLE, INC.
  • ALL ACCESS GATEWAY INC.
  • ANTRECCO (AGUSAN DEL NORTE TEACHERS, RETIREES, EMPLOYEES & COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE)
  • ACM VIP
  • ALL CASH
  • AGRILIFE/ AGRIVET
  • ASENSO PINOY STORE, INC. (EASY DAY SHOP)
  • AVICOM ENTERPRISES
  • AYALA ALABANG VILLAGE ASSOCIATION
  • BAUG CARP MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • BAGUIO BENGUET COOP
  • CARD BANK INC
  • CARD MRI RIZAL BANK INC
  • CARD SME BANK
  • CARITAS BANCO NG MASA, INC.
  • CEBU PEOPLE’S MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • CIS BAYAD CENTER, INC
  • COOPERATIVE BANK OF BOHOL, INC
  • COUNTRY BUILDERS BANK
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • AEON CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (VIA ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ALLIANZ PNB LIFE INSURANCE INC.
  • ALPHA FUND SAVINGS & CREDIT COOPERATIVE (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMADEO WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMYA POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, INC. AND FINANCING CORPORATION (LENDPINOY)
  • ANGAT WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANGELES ELECTRIC COMPANY ANGELICUM SCHOOL , INC. ILOILO CITY (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANJELMAN REAL ESTATE LEASING
  • ANTIQUE ELECTRIC COOP, INC ANTRECCO (BILLS PAYMENT)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (via ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (via ECPAY)
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

List of Accepted Government/ Valid IDs

  • Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
  • National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
  • Police Clearance
  • Postal ID
  • Voter’s ID
  • Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID
  • Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
  • Social Security System (SSS) ID
  • Senior Citizen’s ID
  • Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
  • OFW ID
  • Seaman’s Book
  • Alien Certification of Registration (ACR)
  • Barangay Certificate or ID (with picture and signature)
  • Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
  • Firearm License
  • Immigrant Certificate of Registration
  • Marriage License
  • National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
  • New TIN ID
  • OWWA ID
  • Student ID
  • Alien Certification of Registration (ACR) / Immigrant Certificate of Registration
  • Government Office or Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID (e.g. AFP ID, HDMF (Pag-ibig Fund) ID, etc.
  • Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
  • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
  • Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID (IBP)
  • Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or IC (Insurance Commission)

IDs Accepted

As required by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), clients who engage in a financial transaction with covered institutions for the first time shall be required to present the original and submit a clear copy of at least ONE (1) valid photo-bearing identification document issued by an official authority. For our clients’ convenience, Cebuana no longer requires submission of the photocopied ID. IDs are captured using a webcam in all branches. Clients are also required to submit an updated photo and other relevant information whenever the need for it arises.

Forms of identification accepted are the following;

Pawn Accepted IDs
1. Passport
2. Driver’s License
3. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
4. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
5. Police Clearance
6. Postal ID
7. Voter’s ID
8. Philippine Identification (PhilID) card
9. Social Security System (SSS) Card / Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
10. Barangay Certification
11. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
12. Senior Citizen Card
13. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
14. OFW ID
15. Seaman’s Book
16. Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration (for foreigners)
17. Government Office and GOCC ID, e.g., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP ID)
18. Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF ID)
19. Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
20. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
21. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
22. Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Commission or Insurance Commission
23. ID issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)