Year: 2018

The local news is always abundant of reports involving crimes. Each and every day, we’d hear news of break-ins and robberies. Indeed, it is a risky world out there, which is why we are always comforted by the fact that the four corners of our home will always be a reliable fortress against these people who do not particularly have our own interest at heart. However, what if our homes are the next target of these muggers? No need to worry, as we have enumerated a few cost-effective ways to rack up the security of your homes against these burglars:

1) A few small adjustments can go a long way.

Home security doesn’t have to be complicated. If you want to know the mindset of a thief, think like one. Re-enact the possible scenarios, “What if I was a thief? Where would my point of entry be? What would I have to steal first?” Assess the situation, analyze the scenario, and change what has to be changed. You could block entry points to your home. You could fix that broken lock on your windows (local hardware stores sell them at an affordable price), you can trim shrubs at your yard, you can plant empty soda cans that goes “crunch!” whenever someone steps on them at the late hours. Your options are limitless.

2) Keep expensive outdoor items in the garage.

If your vehicle isn’t occupying the whole garage space, then consider stowing in your other outdoor items with the vehicle as well. You can keep your motorcycle, bikes, and grill beside the vehicle, behind closed doors and away from the prying eyes of thieves. You can also install an additional lock within your garage; hence, it could only be opened from the inside, an added security measure, overall.

3) Install curtains on your windows.

One of the most overlooked security measure may just be the simplest yet – curtains. Your mom and grand mom would normally install them in order to keep the heat of the sun at bay, and when there’s a cool breeze, you can simply tie them in order to let the breeze in. However, they are also an effective way to limit visibility from the outside. Thieves are master planners when it comes to staking out their targets, hence, why it’s important to block their view. Curtains would not only keep outsiders from seeing your valuables, they’d also prevent assailants from having a definite idea of the number of people they’d have to go against with, if ever they make the crucial mistake of breaking in your humble home.

4) Don’t hide keys outdoors.

There are times in which we’d lose our keys due to work stress and confusion, that happens to everyone, but you should remember not to keep a spare key outside your home. You may be used to the idea of hiding a key under a rock or the welcome mat, but thieves are perceptive nowadays, hence why you should mix it up and avoid doing the usual. If you want to keep a spare key, you may do so within your own pocket or bag, you may even keep it inside the shoe you’re wearing, just as long as there’s proper padding to keep it from puncturing your sole.

5) Whenever you leave the house, even for a while, leave a light or a radio on.

Nothing terrifies a thief more than the presence of residents within a supposedly empty home. Don’t give them any peace of mind or satisfaction at all, leave a diversion instead. Burglars are wary of in-home presence, and they’ll always think twice of entering a home with a loud radio or a light turned on.

6) Adopt a dog.

It may seem counterintuitive at this point, but think of it this way, you’ll not only earn a very loyal companion, you’ll also have an active defense against burglars, 24/7. Even if the burglars were to change their mind upon seeing the presence of your dog, you’d still have enough time to call the police and report a burglary attempt. This would further re-enforce your community security as a whole.

With all of those in mind, one main way of protecting your home is availing a home insurance; however, you may definitely want to weigh in your options, analyzing which establishment would be best for availing a home insurance premium and coverage. Look no further than with Cebuana Lhuillier’s HomeCARE Insurance, with its very affordable insurance coverage. It offers loss protection to buildings and residential dwellings including their contents against perils of fire, lightning and other allied perils such as earthquake, typhoon and flood. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

Jewelry is everyone’s best friend. You may get properly groomed with a gold or silver ring, a necklace, a bracelet, or even a pair of earrings, and the outcome would always be the same, you’d always look elegant and dashing all throughout. In such case, you are thinking of trying to get a bargain over other shops and are analyzing your options. A majority would go for the obvious choice; but not all obvious choices are correct. Here are a few pointers regarding buying jewelry from pawnshops vs. buying them from jewelers:

Buying from pawnshops:

• Pawnshops are more analytic when it comes to pricing their items. Believe it or not, they can even price their gold pieces according to the current price of gold in the market. Think of it as their way of monitoring the market, in order to ensure that you, as the buyer, and them as the seller are both going to get the best deal. This means that their prices are even more realistic than what you can find on a jewelry retailer nowadays.

• Aside from monitoring, they can also adjust their price to reflect the said rate of jewelry. While jewelers price their items according to its make, design, and even designer name, pawnbrokers price theirs according to weight and karat. Think of it this way, it’s not all about aesthetics, it’s about the real value of the item. This means that you would always get a fair price, or even lower if the item in question is affordable according to the market markdown.

• This brings us to one of the significant pointer of pawnshops; they would usually disregard designer name and origin, in order to evaluate the jewelry fair and square, its contents, its weight, its make, the intricacies of its design, etc. Getting rid of the designer name makes it more practical to analyze the item, since you wouldn’t want to raise its price just because the designer or brand name is famous. The reputation of the designer would definitely come last; it’s all about the actual quality of the jewelry.

Buying from jewelers:

• Jewelers or retail jewelry shops in particular do little to no effort when it comes to changing the price of the item. It’s all about the origin of the item (how it was designed, who designed it, etc.). In short, they are all priced according to cost basis. It’s just like buying one of those modern cellphones, regardless of the features; you’re always going to be charged according to the name and legacy of its manufacturer, not because of the functionality and convenience it provides.

• Fun Fact: Jewelers buy their items wholesale, like groceries. Now, take notice of the word ‘buy’ from that recent sentence. You may ask, “So, jewelers spend money outright just so they’ll have something to sell?” Yes, you got that right. The thing is, this will enable them to mark up the price of each item, even going as high as a 100%, in order to get back what they’ve spent and make a profit at the same time. So regardless if it’s just a small ring or a miniscule pair of earrings, you will still be charged a high cost. We’re not even getting to the part that they might charge more simply because the item was made by a well-known designer, no different from those luxurious designer bags or dresses.

• A jeweler wouldn’t bother to adjust their prices due to the two former reasons; hence, you would not be able to adjust your budget. There is never a low cost when it comes to retail jewelers, unlike pawnshops, in which both you and the pawnbroker could strike a fair deal – a win-win situation.

With all of that being said, you may be looking for a pawn shop that would provide you with the most honest return possible. No worries, as Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back. With their Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collateral. In such case, they’d also offer the best items they have once you decide to buy jewelry from them. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its close to 2,500 branches nationwide.

Image source: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/golden-jewelry-in-store-window_1474608.htm

OFWs are one of the thriftiest when it comes to their budget. There are countless stories of OFWs coming back and staying in the Philippines for good, with their entire savings well enough to last them for countless years to come. Perhaps that would be an indicator that they finally have enough for a local business venture. Either that or they were able to settle down with a non-luxurious lifestyle, hence, decreasing their daily expenses. With that in mind, there are also those who were unlucky enough, perhaps due to a few wrong decisions along the way. With their savings gone and foreign contract fulfilled, they are obliged to travel again and repeat the never-ending loop of working far away from home. Don’t make the same mistakes, avoid the following pitfalls:

1) Falling for pyramid scams.

Pyramid scams are rampant and some victims are OFWs. Many of them are tempted to join such get-rich-quick scams due to the fact that an easy surge of money would mean that they’ll be able to come home to their families sooner than expected. These are of course too good to be true, and they end up regretting ever participating and wasting their time and hard-earned money for promised riches which are definitely a lie.

2) Not setting a financial plan.

Don’t just strive to save; you got to have an end result in mind. How much are you planning to save? What will you be using it for? How are you going to save a much bigger amount? These are questions that only you could answer. Remember, the more you budget, the better. Don’t be embarrassed to create a list. Having a written plan of your financial goals is a great indication that you’re willing to put in the work, just so you can save from each salary cut-off. Speaking of which…

3) Not including your savings as part of the expense pool.

You might be confused, “Why would I even call it savings when I categorize it as part of the expenses?” Allow us to elaborate. As an OFW, you still have your monthly dues, bills, rent, groceries, etc. But those are just the usual expenses, remember, you must consider the amount that you’re going to save as part of the expenses as well. This is the alternate perception of “saving only if there is any amount left.” This is wrong! Instead, practice the “I better put aside an amount, regardless if there would be any leftovers or not.” It’ll motivate you to set aside a specific number, rather than trying to save from a few monthly penny leftovers.

4) Being the only source of income for your family back at home.

There is nothing wrong with providing for your family – it’s your obligation and the main reason why you left the country in the first place. However, you are also entitled to let your family know that you can only do so much. You are not the owner of a multi-billion company, and neither are you the president of your own country to provide for everyone every time there’s trouble and shortages. As an OFW, it is your responsibility to help and provide for the usual budget, but if you’re going to be forced into providing for the whole ‘barangay’ then that’s definitely counterintuitive.

5) Having no emergency funds.

Set aside an emergency fund every salary day. This should be different from your savings. The thing is, you shouldn’t even be touching your savings at all. Whenever unforeseen circumstances were to occur, your emergency funds would diligently provide for you, without hurting your financial roadmap in the long run.

6) Being a “Yes Man.”

God always loves a cheerful giver. During your stay abroad, you may encounter a fellow OFW going through some rough time. You should definitely help out, but do not pour out all your hard-earned cash, hoping that you’ll be paid back immediately. The best that you could do without hurting much of your budget? Respectfully say “No.” If your budget wouldn’t allow it, let your fellows know that you are in the same rough patch as they are, and you’ll definitely help out if ever you’d get any extra. But until then, you may just decline any effort to borrow cash from you.

7) Ignoring legitimate investment opportunities.

What better way to earn than to pursue a good investment opportunity. You could invest on your fringe benefits, you could invest on a house back at home, or you could even invest on a few healthcare services. These investments are not to be confused with pyramid scams, as those would usually promise easy money. Legitimate investments do not promise quick cash, but instead, showcase a few good terms which could work best for you. The more that you’ll indulge on investment numbers, the more that your money would grow in the long run.

With all of that in mind, you may have saved enough and finally be ready to send your hard-earned money to your family back at home; however, you are still undecided as to which remitting center you should transact with. Well no need to look any further. With Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pera Padala Service, you are ensured an easy, quick, and safe way to send and receive money. With close to 2,500 branches nationwide and accredited international partners, this money transfer service is made available to clients within and outside the Philippines. So for our beloved OFW patrons, feel free to visit any of our international partners – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

For a complete list of our international partners, you may visit our website at https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/pera-padala/.

Image source: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/money-flying-cartoon-vector_756523.htm

As the saying goes, a good magician never shares his secret. In most cases, it’s all full of smoke and mirrors, with a big pay off at the end. The same can’t be said for pawnshops though. Pawnshops have a set of rules and policies to follow, each one put in place in order to make sure that, unlike magic tricks, there are no sleight of hand, but instead, great deals and value between the pawner and pawnbroker. The goal for both parties is to attain a win-win situation at the end. In such case, many are still intrigued and unaware of the process that happens within the pawnshop, many questions which were left unanswered, until now.

Here are 7 common questions about how pawnshops operate:

1) What are pawnshops for?

Want to earn a few extra cash? You may just head over to your nearest pawnshop, just make sure that the items you’d bring are in good condition. You may see pawnshops as an establishment to lend you cash, in a way, it is. However, unlike banks, pawnshops would require you to leave behind a valuable item, may it be jewelry, a gadget, etc., after which, the pawnshop will hold onto that item. Only after the loaned amount has been paid in full could you get your valuable/s back.

2) I can get a loan from places other than pawnshops, so why go to a pawnshop then?

When you say other places, you may have been referring to banks. It sounds logical at first mention, but remember, banks wouldn’t often take time to even bother lending you a small amount. There are a lot of paperwork that goes into loaning from a bank, not to mention, the hassle that you’d have to go through in order to even proceed with each process. Pawnshops offer something that banks don’t – convenience. Pawnbrokers would just analyze the item to be pawned, and then, you’re all set to receive the amount (the exact value would depend on the condition of the item).

3) You mentioned no paperwork, so what are the requirements then?

Two main things: A valid ID and the item in question. Pawnshops wouldn’t require any other heavy paper load. Just as long as you’re honest about the value of the item and you have a clear ID at hand, you’re all set to push through with the deal.

4) What can I pawn?

Jewelry is at the top of the list, but other items such as gadgets and a few select appliances are also accepted. As long as they’re not damaged and are still functional, you can bet that you’ll receive a good appraisal for them. Pawnbrokers are analytic, but not very picky, just as long as the items in question are qualified according to the rules and regulations of the pawnshop, then you’re good to go.

5) What are the benchmarks of indicating my item’s value?

There are a few important factors to be considered in doing this. For a better understanding, we may also see these factors in question form:
• What is the condition of the item?
• What is its current market value?
• What is the cost of storing/holding onto the item?
• How big is its potential to be sold?

Some experienced pawnbrokers may determine these factors upon witnessing the item firsthand, though in most cases, they’d do further digging, just to make sure that you’ll get a fair amount in return.

6) What are the offered lengths of payment?

A standard practice nowadays is to hold onto the item for at least 30 to 90 days, it would all depend on the agreement between pawner and pawnbroker. In most cases, policies are to be followed, so the pawnbroker would dictate the length of the payment period. No worries though, as you wouldn’t be given any unfair length, depending on the value of your item. Take note that you can renew the loan period (with a fair amount of interest in exchange). If you ever reach the point of not being able to pay back the loan at all, no worries, as the pawnshop wouldn’t even come after you; they will just keep the item or auction them off.

7) Are pawnshops secure?

Yes, they are. Most pawnshops are situated within re-enforced establishments, usually offering a safe place for you to transact with the pawnbroker. They are well-secured (CCTV cameras, security guards, etc.) and adhere to the law and regulation of proper pawning business practices. You wouldn’t have to worry about scams and unfair deals, just as long as you transact within the premises of the pawnshop, and with well-ID’ed and uniformed personnel.

With all of that being said, you may be looking for a pawn shop that would provide you with the most honest and highest appraisal possible. No worries, as Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back. With their Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry with its close to 2,500 branches nationwide. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

Image source: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/car-stack-of-coins-colored-pencil-calculator-and-magnifying-glass-on-financial-report_3090850.htm