Year: 2018

Every once in a while, you find yourself in need of cash. When monthly income isn’t enough, you may decide to take a few of your pre-loved items out of the storage bin and sort out which you can sell off. There’s nothing wrong with doing that (especially if the items are still in pristine condition), but did you know that you may still do something better with your old items rather than simply selling them? Why, you pawn them off, of course. You may ask, “Are there any advantages in pawning over selling?” Yes, there is. As a matter of fact, we had enumerated a few of the most significant ones:

1) The item is still yours.

Yup, you’ve read that right. If you’re having second thoughts about selling your item, then fear not. Pawning allows you to receive money from your pawned item while keeping it safe for the time being. Of course, this is to be considered as something closer to a loan rather than a sale. As with all loans, you may need to pay a small fee monthly in order for the pawnshop to keep your item safe. As long as you pay it all off, then you’d have nothing to worry about. You can still get your item back once everything is settled. This is very much unlike a garage sale, where your pre-loved items may be gone forever, owned by the owners who bought them from you.

2) No hassle and haggle.

When selling off your items, the potential buyers would usually haggle with you, telling you that your pre-loved cellphone is no longer “on trend,” thus should cost a lot less. This is understandably frustrating, yet very avoidable when you choose to pawn off your items instead. If the item you’re pawning off is still in pristine condition, then there is a chance that you may still get a great deal out of it. You may do your own homework, research on the current value of your old items, and then verify the possible price to be offered by the pawnshop. Nonetheless, pawnshops follow a particular standard range, so you should still get a good deal with no haggling involved.

3) Aside from current market price, the item condition is also a plus factor.

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like wear and tear on his/her personal belongings, then you’re in luck. In spite of the underlying lower value in second-hand items, you can still get a high rate from pawnshops rather than from garage sales. You see, a good-working cellphone, regardless if it’s second hand or not, as long as it still functions the way that it should would still hold significant value. Selling off the item, however, welcomes the possibility of the potential buyer wanting to get a better deal than you, thus, a win-lose situation. Avoid experiencing any of this and go for a win-win situation. The better the item is, the higher the appraisal from pawnshops.

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 our Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount, as we accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. We also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in our close to 2,500 branches nationwide. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we guarantee fast, easy and secure transactions.

All OFWs have the obligation to provide for their family. Money remittance is the most obvious choice when it comes to sending financials back at home. You may ask, “Is it all because of convenience? Is that the only reason why both the senders and receivers prefer money remittance over other forms of financial transfers?” Well, the definite answer would be negative, as safety and quick results would always come in play. With all of that being said, safety measures should still be practiced by both sides, especially now that countless scams are rampant. Here are a few important tips for both the senders and receivers regarding safe money transfers:

1) Verify the money transfer service that you will be transacting with.

If you are sending money, go for a trusted name when it comes to money transfers. Do your own homework, research on the remittance establishment before shelling out your hard-earned cash for the transfer process. There have been news of OFWs getting scammed in recent years due to them being in contact with scammers pretending to be personnel of countless remittance centers. Do not make the very same mistake. Be cautious and only transact within the confines of the establishment itself. Avoid any person claiming to be part of the remittance company if they are lacking the necessary identifications.

2) Only share the transaction details with your loved ones.

Never share any transaction information with other people, may it be your office mates or overseas friends. Things may get out of hand and the information may be leaked, leading to the perpetrators waiting on the receiving end of the remittance, rather than your family. Make sure to communicate the transaction only with your family members, a few days prior to the transaction itself, so that they may prepare for the quick travel towards their nearest remittance center. You may even text the details (instead of saying them out loud via call), so that they may only be the ones to receive such important information like control number and the remittance amount.

3) Avoid any suspicious-looking apps that may claim to handle money transfers via your smartphone.

While the advent of technology enabled a few legitimate money transfer apps to exist, that doesn’t mean that all of the money transfer apps that you see online are all legitimate. Some are just phishing apps, hoping to get your personal details, resulting to your income loss, or worse, identity theft. It is still better to transact within the confines of a well-verified money transfer establishment, just as long as you’d consider the first two pointers.

4) Be cautious of text messages coming from people who are pretending to be your so-called loved ones abroad.

Ever had the experience of receiving a text message from a person who claims to be your OFW relative abroad? Did he/she ask you to send over cash or cellphone load in order to receive that long-awaited remittance? Well, if ever you did, you are just one of the many that were a target of these ridiculous scam messages. Never give any important info, and most of all, never reply to any of these messages. If your smartphone would permit, block the number and report them to the authorities, as these crooks are always on the text prowl, looking to make an easy score from any unknowing person who isn’t familiar yet with this type of scam.

5) After receiving the remittance details from your loved one abroad, never share it to anyone.

This is similar to the second pointer, but in reverse. Keep the control number and remittance amount all to yourself. Never share any details; never tell of the upcoming money transfer even to your neighbors. Word may spread, and this may be utilized by thieves in planning to do something bad when the day of the remittance arrives. Remember, remittance info may only be received by you and you alone, so never hesitate to keep it to yourself.

6) Only transact within the confines of the remittance center.

Stay alert and be cautious of your surroundings. Never speak with anyone claiming to be employees of the remittance center. Only communicate with the remittance personnel inside the establishment itself. It’s easy to recognize which is which, identified by their uniforms and IDs. After the transaction (and as much as possible), never linger for too long. Immediately take a ride straight home, so that crooks wouldn’t have enough time to monitor or plot your every move. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

Speaking of well-trusted remittance centers, you may 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 guarantee fast, easy and secure transactions.

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

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Moms, what would we be without them? Aside from the unbeatable care and love that a mother provides for her child, she is also someone whom a son or daughter can look up to as he or she grows up. The most impressive thing about moms is that they aren’t only focused on household matters; most of them would also try to balance family life and career. The fact that they are able to accomplish this with seemingly no effort at all (or so we think) is what makes them the modern-day superheroes of our lives. This is even more challenging for OFW moms, who not only have to endure stress from work, but also the loneliness brought about by being far from their loved ones. For all the OFW moms who are looking for valuable tips on practical parenting but do not know where to begin, well, look no further than our five important tips:

1) Evaluate your priorities.

For moms who travel from time to time, it is important to set your free time for giving your kids the attention that they need. Fill in that gap brought by your absence due to overseas work. Communicate with them, connect with them, make them understand the situation, and let them know that even if you aren’t around often, they are always in your mind every step of the way. It’s tough balancing travel paperwork tasks and family weekends during your short annual vacations, but be sure to spend a majority of them with your kids. Show them that they matter more than any amount that you can earn from your overseas job.

2) Help them out with their academics online.

One good thing about technology is that they enable you to communicate with loved ones, even if they’re miles away. There are countless online apps that cater to your needs, specifically, those that provide video calling. With that in mind, you can now help out your kids with their school work. Be updated on their academic performances and achievements. Assist them with their homework and make them feel that you can still help them even if you aren’t physically around.

3) Always make time for communication.

This is somehow similar to the first pointer, however, this is leaning more towards the sudden offset of communication, not the planned ones. As kids grow up, they start asking crucial questions. It is essential for moms to answer these types of questions (in equal importance with the dad) in order to guide your kids with life advice and encouragement. Not making time at all for these types of situations may result in your kids becoming aloof and isolated, and you wouldn’t want that to happen.

4) Never forget important dates.

This is definitely one of the least things that an OFW mom would ever have to worry about (as no mother can and would ever forget their loved ones), unless of course they are always pre-occupied with work. It doesn’t matter if it’s your kid’s birthday, first communion, graduation, etc., never forget to acknowledge your kids during such important dates. Greet them, congratulate them, and show them that they will always be a part of your life regardless of the distance.

5) Reward them on every valuable triumph and academic achievements.

Birthday bash, graduation, high grades, you name it. Send over a new console that they’ve been asking for a long time, or the latest rubber shoes available in the market. If they’re at the right age, you may also buy them the latest cellphone model, as long as they promise to take care of it. Your choices are endless when it comes to rewarding your kids.

If you’re not sure on the type of reward for your kids, then why not let their dad handle it? You can just send him the cash amount to avail the item back at home. You are ready to send your hard-earned cash; 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 what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we guarantee fast, easy and secure transactions.

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We are all bothered by mess. It’s counter-productive to work at a station filled with your unorganized stuff, the same way that we are all hassled at home by a pile of our used clothes. If you’ve been putting off your cleaning schedules or weekend duties, the clutter in our homes would come back to haunt us, one way or the other. “How on earth would I be able to clean all of this mess?” – you may ask. Well, look no further than four of our best tips:

1) In with the new, out with the old.

If you happen to purchase a new set of wardrobe or furniture, it would only be sensible to set aside the ones which you are no longer going to use. Depending on the amount of free space in your home, you may either stash (in an orderly manner, of course) the old items inside your cabinet or at a spare room (for some, this may either be a room once occupied by a family member who already went away to work abroad or a typical guest room). If there isn’t any spare room at home, you may also store the unused items in your garage, provided that your car doesn’t take up the whole space.

2) Organize, organize, and organize.

What better way to organize than with a few affordable drawers or bookshelves. The thing about decluttering is that you have the option to arrange your items creatively, without having to throw away anything. If your magazine or book collections are just lying around the house, a nifty bookshelf may just be what you need. On the other hand, for those types of belongings that you wouldn’t want others to see, you can just simply lock them away in a drawer. The choice is yours.

3) Never leave off any minor clutter from the beginning.

A small amount of clutter can pile up, thus, leaving you with a huge amount of mess, sooner or later. Learn to organize from the very beginning, so that you wouldn’t have to put up with the clutter during your rest days. Weekends are for relaxation, so do not leave off any mess during the weekdays.

4) Pawn or sell off your old items.

If you have no extra space at home for your old items, then the best option would be for you to sell or pawn your items off, whichever suits you best. The thing about garage sales is that they always attract a particular set of people who are either looking to buy something cheap or add something to their novelty collection. In such case, you’d only be able to sell your old items for a smaller price, rather than pawning them off, which would provide you with a much better deal, given that your items are still in pristine condition.

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

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You obviously need capital to start your dream venture. You may decide to apply for a business loan in order to acquire the necessary financials. However, you may be unaware of a few pre-requisites. These documents are important to assure the lenders that you are able to pay back the money that you owe after your business takes off. With this in mind, we have enumerated a few loan requirements for you to take note of:

1. The Business Plan

Lenders need to know what your business is all about. What products or services are you going to offer? How many people are going to manage it? How do you intend to grow? Where are you planning to open up? These important questions should be answered within your business plan. This way, not only would lenders know of your good intentions towards the amount that they’re going to provide, but they’d also have a fair idea of the amount that they should lend you.

2. Disclosure of other Debts

Much like when you’re applying for a credit card, lenders need to know whether or not you have other unpaid debts. This isn’t much about your business goals, but more of your ability to pay them back later on. If you have other unpaid debts even before you’ve applied for a business loan, chances are, lenders would have second thoughts in approving your claim. Not being diligent in paying past debts is a sign that you are unfit to pursue further financial responsibilities.

3. Collateral

As with all loans, there are times when the borrower would not be able to pay up on time. In such case, the lending institution may require collateral, something that they may get in return for the unpaid borrowed amount. Signing a loan contract puts you in a commitment to pay back what you owe, and not being able to do so would hurt the lenders much more than you, hence, the policy of acquiring collateral for the loaned amount. Take note that collaterals may come in different forms, may it be your car, your indoor belongings, or even your house.

4. Bank Statements

One of the main things that lenders are looking out for is your financial responsibility. Of course, the main reason why you’re applying for a business loan is because you do not have the right amount for your capital. However, loaning institutions would still require this in order to evaluate how healthy your business’ cash flow is. Are you the type who saves and spends responsibly, or are you the type of person who withdraws cash from his account and jeopardizes the business’ financial health? Your financial habits and reputation would precede you, overall.

5. Business Licenses and Permits

This is one way to show the lenders that you’re really serious about your dream venture. It doesn’t matter if you’re opening up a spa or a net café, as long as the local government knows about it and is cleared to operate within your chosen location, then it’s a solid proof for the loaning institution that your business would exist once they approve your loan.

When you’re ready to give it another try, get a jumpstart on your business venture with a trusted name that offers only the best service possible. Our network of more than 2,200 Cebuana Lhuillier branches and online presence give customers unlimited access and utter convenience in applying for a loan. Our five-point application to disbursement process ensures services are delivered on time. So what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

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Start them young, as they say. It doesn’t matter if you’re still below the age of 30, you can already start your own business. Age doesn’t matter nowadays, especially if you’re planning to achieve your goals well within your 20’s. Whatever fits and works for you, go for it! With that in mind, every entrepreneur with a dream venture definitely needs capital in order to start their business. If you’re one of the few who have already saved enough for such needed capital, then we congratulate you! However, if you’re one of the many who have yet to find their investors, then keep on reading, as we have enumerated a few business financing tips for you:

1. Borrowing your capital amount from your family and friends.

If you want to borrow money, look no further than the people you’d meet each and every day of your life. Let them know of your intentions and be sure to explain the ins and outs of your business. The thing about family members is that they are always supportive of your good deeds, the same goes for your friends. If you present your business plan in a simple, yet, effective way, they may even consider adding a few extra to your capital, just to help you out in the long run. Of course, never forget to pay them back, depending on the agreed date and time. As much as they are your family and friends, you wouldn’t want any conflict to arise just because you haven’t paid yet what is due, even after your business has already taken off successfully.

2. Consider looking for Angel Investors.

Simply put, angel investors are wealthy individuals who provide capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. Take note of the “convertible debt” part, that means that they may either refuse to receive money in return, but instead, partial equity of the business. This would fit you if you have no concern over being a full owner and are willing to part with some shares of your business in exchange for funding. Many businesses who rely on angel investors find success along the way (given that their main owners put in a lot of the hard work as well), so this is indeed a tried and tested way of starting up your business.

3. Via Crowdfunding.

Being a recent phenomenon due to technology and improved connectivity, crowdfunding is defined as the process of rallying people behind you in order to acquire the funds that you would need for your dream venture or business ideas. A particular website enables modern-day innovators and business hopefuls to showcase their ideas via videos and visual aids, thus, providing an opportunity for community engagement and funding on the needed capital. The more impressive your idea is, the more support that you will get from your countless financial supporters.

With those methods in mind, there’s another surefire way of getting a jumpstart on your business venture with a trusted name that offers only the best service possible. Our network of more than 2,200 Cebuana Lhuillier branches and online presence give customers unlimited access and utter convenience in applying for a loan. Our five-point application to disbursement process ensures services are delivered on time. So what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.

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For us Pinoys, every centavo counts. There would come a time that we’d need to sacrifice a few wants in order to make ends meet, in order to prioritize the needs. There is nothing wrong with that, as the ever-increasing prices would dictate that we should live according to our means. However, there are countless tips, “life hacks” to be exact, which would not only enable us to leave a few amounts for our savings, it would also allow us to spend a few for ourselves and non-frequent relaxations times:

1. Keep every spare amount.

It doesn’t matter if it’s just a bit of loose change or a few 20 Peso bills, if you’re not going to use it for now then add it to your savings. What many fail to realize is, no matter how small your current savings are, if it accumulates, you’ll be glad to find thousands in your account sooner than later. Let your savings grow by keeping your loose change aside instead of spending them compulsively.

2. Manage your financials the same way that you’d manage a business.

No one wants their business to fail; hence, they would do anything in their power to maintain its continuous growth and income. The same thing should be implemented towards your savings. Making sure that your account balance doesn’t reach zero would ensure that you’d still have a well-maintained account to deposit to after every payday. If you do not have a business, the same principle still applies, just think of it as a learning curve for when you finally decide to have a venture in the future.

3. Make saving a habit.

It’s tough, especially if you have friends who’d usually invite you to those late night parties and dinners every payday, however, that doesn’t mean that you do not have the option to say no. If they really are your friends, they would understand, and if you really are motivated to save, then by all means, respectfully refuse any expenditure as you go along the way. It may take a while for you to adjust to this “saving” lifestyle, but the payback is much more rewarding than your sacrifice.

4. Never spend impulsively.

This is a mistake that a majority of us would commit. Temptation is everywhere, a new cellphone model, a brand new car in the market, a newly opened ramen house, etc. It takes great strength to pull away from temptations; however, that particular task is eased up by a particular motivation, to save. Remember, these things, no matter how new, innovative, or delicious they are, are only temporary, and the needs must always come before the wants. The need to save for future expenditures should always be kept in mind in order to avoid spending your savings on an impulse. Choose wisely, spend wisely.

5. Consider undergoing a lifestyle change.

For some, lifestyle changes would only equate to expenditures, however, that is just a common misconception, as you may also undergo lifestyle changes in order to effectively save up money. The food you eat, the clothes you buy, and even your way of commuting to work may very well eat up a majority of your earnings, hence, why not choose a much affordable daily meal package perhaps? Or a cheaper, yet, still good quality of clothing brand? Or even a faster, yet, cheaper commuting alternative? The possibilities are endless. The amount that you’d be able to save with these lifestyle changes would ensure that you’d still have some left for future expenses.

6. Be aware of rampant scams and money-making schemes.

Nothing can be more damaging to your personal budget than being involved in a money scam. There are many to mention, however, their “procedures” are all the same: “Invest some cash in our group and we’ll double that amount after a few months.” This scheme has been around for a long time and yet, many still fall for the same old trick. This may be due to the fact that they mostly operate online and are usually made up of people who are well-versed in twisting financial terms. Don’t be fooled, avoid them at all cost, and instead, find other means to use your money wisely.

7. Investing on Microinsurance.

One way of wisely spending your money would be to invest on microinsurance. It’s your choice, house insurance, life insurance, livelihood insurance, car insurance, etc. You may ask, “Wouldn’t it cost me much to invest on microinsurance packages? Why not just save the money instead?” Well, that may sound like a logical point at first, until you realize that house and car damages would cost a great amount to fix, the same goes with hospital bills as well. Microinsurance packages would actually ensure that you may either be given a big discount or a free pass from all of the sudden expenditures (depending on your insurance coverage). Aside from that, you’d never have to worry about emergency finances anymore, as insurances would cover that as well. Be ready, be prepared, and invest on microinsurance.

With all of those in mind, you may definitely want to weigh in your options, analyzing which establishment would be best for availing a microinsurance premium and coverage. Look no further than with Cebuana Lhuiller’s Microinsurance Services, affordable insurance products to help Filipinos avail of financial services and privileges that higher-income earners have easy access to, with innovative microinsurance products and services that promise to minimize impact of distress and misfortune on one’s financial position. Feel free to visit your nearest branch for more information.

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