FULL PROMO MECHANICS:
1. Promo will run from October 1 to December 31, 2020.
2. For every purchase of four (4) ProtectMAX in a single transaction, client earns one (1) e-raffle entry.
3. There will be eighty (80) winners of P1,000 cash monthly (10 per region) and twenty-four (24) winners of P10,000 cash in the grand draw (3 per region).
4. Customers can earn as many raffle entries based on their number of qualified transactions but can only win once in the entire promo period. Entries who have already won are not eligible in the next draws.
5. Period covered for the monthly draws and grand draw are as follows:
a. 1st Monthly Draw: October 1-31, 2020
b. 2nd Monthly Draw: November 1-30, 2020
c. Grand Draw: October 1-December 31, 2020
6. Qualified entries for the 1st and 2nd monthly draws will be electronically drawn on November 16 and December 14, respectively; qualified entries for the grand draw will be electronically drawn on January 22, 2021. The draw will be at P.J. Lhuillier Inc. ICT Office 3/F, The Networld Hub 156 Jupiter cor. Bel-Air, Makati City 1209.
7. Winners will be notified through SMS.
8. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited sixty (60) days upon receipt of notification.
9. Announcement of winners will be posted in Cebuana Lhuillier branches and official Facebook page.
10. Employees of P.J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, agencies and services and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not qualified to join the promo.
Month: September 2020
Your Indoor Financial Companion: Introducing Cebuana Lhuillier’s Cebuana from Home and Its Features
Whether we like it or not, the pandemic is still ongoing. Many of us are understandably frustrated, urging to go out after spending the past few months being stuck indoors. While the guidelines have somewhat been relaxed in some parts of the country, strict rules are still being followed in areas that are deemed a possible high-risk zone. The urban landscape, for example, is the main spot of these implemented rules, and as long as the confirmed cases are still at an all-time high, the said regulations will remain in place. Now, as the virus continues to haunt our society, simple transactions and processes are somewhat tougher to accomplish. The long lines and hassle are part of the “new normal,” making your everyday routine a lot more tedious than the usual. Money remittance is no exemption, as people tend to line up during the early hours, just to receive a handful of financial aid from their loved ones.
The good news is, in spite of everything that’s been happening around the country, Cebuana Lhuillier’s everlasting goal to provide each and every Filipino with exemplary service still remains to this day. No virus or pandemic would ever change that, which is why they recently launched an online service that would cater to the needs of every Filipino.
Cebuana from Home is an online service that aims to serve the Filipino people at the safety of their homes. There used to be a time when patrons would line up for a few minutes just so they could have their money remitted or their jewelries appraised. Now, with the “new normal” being rolled out, Cebuana from Home is a great companion for every Filipino who do not want to risk being caught within the dangerous grasp of the virus, while at the same time continue with their usual transactions with only the most-trusted name in money remittance.
Where can I access it and what are its features?
You may access Cebuana from Home via their official website at https://remitfromhome.cebuanalhuillier.com/Home/Services. The features are tailor fitted to provide the usual services that every Filipino wishes to pursue at their preferred branches. The online system has been streamlined, so it doesn’t matter if you’d run the online transaction at home or through an internet café, as long as the customer were to provide the complete and correct details within the corresponding online forms.
1. Online Domestic Remittance
Cebuana from Home’s Online Domestic Remittance enables Cebuana Lhuillier’s long-time patrons to send money towards their loved ones, without even leaving the comfort of their homes. They just need to click the Domestic Remittance option from the main menu, after which, they would be redirected towards an online form. The sender would need to provide his/her complete details, along with the details of the person to whom he/sheis sending the money to. This online service is pretty flexible as well, in the sense that it allows the sender to either use his GCash, PayMaya, BPI, BDO, or other bank accounts to send the corresponding cash remittance. Of course, he would still need to send the receiver a heads up for when the online transaction has been successful, so that the receiver may spring into action when acquiring the amount. Again, just make sure that the details are all correct and complete, so as to avoid any confusion within the process. It is as easy as 1-2-3.
2. Online Insurance
Of course, Cebuana Lhuillier has expanded its reach for its insurance service as well. Similar to the Online Domestic Remittance service, the Insurance option should be chosen at the main menu, after which, the user would be taken straight to the insurance section. Once inside that webpage, the user has three main options to choose from. We have the PA Prime, the ERCare, and the TeleCare. Each and every one of these insurance offerings has their own features and coverages. PA Prime has an annual premium of P100, ERCare has a premium which starts at P550, and TeleCare has a premium that starts at P200. Of course, there is more to see if the user were to choose one of those insurances. Clicking on one of them would bring the user towards that particular insurance’s main page, thus explaining all of the features and packages of the said insurance option. Below each main insurance page are two vital parts which the user should be aware of, the first one being the complete “Terms and Conditions.” Right below that would be the “Buy Now” option, which would enable the user to enter the purchase page, if ever he/she were to have a quick decision within the very same day, with regard to his/herinsurance preference.
3. Online Payments
Not to be confused with your general utility bill payments, Cebuana from Home only accepts the following payments at the moment:
- Asialink Finance Corp.
- Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
- Finaswide Credit Corp.
- Global Dominion Financing Inc.
- Home Credit
- Motor Star
- Probikes Motorcycle Center
- Subic Water
- Sumisho Motor Finance Corp.
Clicking on any one of these would bring the user to the main payment page, where he/she can fill up the needed details to proceed with the payment process. As with the other online services, this one wouldn’t take long to finish. They also accept GCash, PayMaya, BPI, BDO, and other bank accounts as a valid source of the payment itself.
4. Online Pawning
The last online service would be the online Pawning option. Unlike the first three options, this would have an extra step before getting to the main payment page. After clicking “Pawning” from the main page, the user would then be asked if he/she wishes to make a “New Pawning” transaction or a “Pawn Renewal” transaction. Choosing either of the options would take the user to the main fill-up page, where he/she would need to fill in the needed details (including information about the jewelry) in order to proceed. As with the other online services, every detail should be correct and complete, to avoid any confusion within the transaction.
So, that’s just about it. For more information about the Cebuana from Home service, you may visit https://remitfromhome.cebuanalhuillier.com/Home/Services or contact the following details: [email protected] or call Cebuana Lhuillier at (+632) 759-9888/(+632) 779-9888 Local 1372 or 1373 or via (+63)918-488-3912.
Pay Now or Later: Sorting Your Priorities for a Stable Financial Future
“Which one should I pay first?” This is probably the question you’re asking each time you receive your bundle of bills. It isn’t easy to budget your financials, especially if all of your subscriptions are urging to be fulfilled in one way or the other. The thing about expenses is that they will remain at your grasp unless you pay them off. It’s like trying to cook rice while watching your favorite soap opera. As much as you’d like to focus on what you’re watching, you can’t, as leaving off the rice to cook all by itself would result to a very toasty lunch, or worse, a burnt kitchen. Every bill has their own due date, and not paying off the whole amount before that said due date would either result to a penalty or a disconnection, and both are something that no one wants to pay extra for.
Now, everyone seems to have the habit of spending all their money in one go, paying their bills while going for groceries after. It may seem wise at first glance, as the notion of “hitting two birds with one stone” would always come to mind. However, this isn’t always the case. Paying off all your bills during the same day as your grocery restock also has its disadvantages. For one, all of your budget would usually be allocated towards your bills, thus, your groceries would be limited to the ones that you can purchase with whatever’s left of your money. Aside from that, there may also be emergency situations which would require you to shell out a certain amount, and that would be bad if you have nothing left. Of course, there’s nothing wrong about paying your monthly obligations, but there is a far better and practical way of paying them, in order for you to still have a few extra savings by the end of the month.
The Battle of the Due Dates
Out of all the bills you’d receive every month, the electric bill would be your most crucial dark horse. There is no question; electricity is a must-have for all households. Take that away and you have no cold water, no cool air, no light, and no entertainment. It’s just a necessity that somehow everyone takes for granted, yet, creates a huge impact when it is absent. Of course, you need air and water to live, but electricity is somewhat a catalyst when you want to experience comfort on a daily basis. With all of that being said, this should be your number one priority. If you think a few minutes of brownout is bad, having no electricity for a week because you missed the due date is much worse.. Pay all of the pending amount if you have to, just don’t let your electricity go.
Depending on the interval, right after your electricity bill would be the water bill. Admittedly, these two bills compete for the top spot, with regards to their due date. You might even receive them around the same time that you begin receiving your monthly bills. However, there is a short pause among them, which is why you should not pay them simultaneously if you know that you’re going to end up short on cash even before the other bills arrive. Pay for the electricity bill first, and then when the water bill arrives, be sure to sort out your budget. If it is enough and you have a little extra amount for food and groceries, feel free to pay off the water bill as well. If your budget would not permit you to accomplish all of this, then take notice of your water bill’s due date. You may need to adjust your grocery list, lessen the items to buy without compromising much of your essential needs, find ways to earn a little extra or wait for your next payday (if possible), just make sure that the water bill gets paid at least a day before the due date. Your last option would be to borrow cash from a well-trusted friend or family member, though make sure to pay them back once you get your next pay. This is for when you don’t really want to get penalized or your water lines cut. It isn’t easy to borrow money from other people, but it’s practical and understandable.
With the main essentials out of the way, we may now talk about your luxury bills, such as your cable connection and your internet connection. Entertainment is important, but not as important as water and electricity. Still, if you want to maintain your means of entertainment, be sure to keep it at the bottom of the list. The penalties for non-essential bills are pretty much manageable compared to the essential ones. The same goes for your internet connection. Communication is very vital, especially during these hard times, but you can very much survive with a few prepaid subscriptions, both for data and for calls. If you’re the work-from-home type, then perhaps you can place your internet connection a notch higher than your cable connection. The good news is, there are some companies who are offering both of these in a bundle deal. Whether or not they’re affordable would be up to your budget, so feel free to analyze your earnings before making a big decision when it comes to these subscriptions.
As with all advice on the internet, these may vary with your current situation and monthly income. If your monthly income enables you to pay all of these with no hassle then you are very much blessed, proceed to pay as you wish. But if that’s not the case, then you may follow these tips with a few personal discretions, depending on your current budget.
With all of these in mind, you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money and savings during these hard times. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful Micro Savings product without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!
Preparing for the Unknown: A Checklist of Things to Settle for the Unforeseeable Future
“What are you afraid of?” – More often than not, people would answer this with the phrase, “I’m afraid of the unknown.” Indeed, everyone fears the future, the unforeseeable tomorrow that lies beyond what one can see. There are people who would spend money on fortune tellers, asking them for guidance on how they may best face the upcoming days of their lives. While it may seem ridiculous, even humorous at times, you can’t really blame them for doing something as trivial. Sure, we can all get by with our daily routines, doing what we usually do on a daily basis, working on the things that we are all too familiar with, and you know what they say about that, familiarity brings comfort and complacency. That, however, is where the problem arises. You see, nothing in life is ever consistent. You may have experienced a bright, sunny day today, but tomorrow may bring a whole lot of rain showers. The same goes for your daily routines, as things do not always go according to plan. Just when you thought today would seem as peaceful and serene as yesterday, something happens that shakes you out of your complacency, thus, rendering you shocked and confused. This is what everyone’s afraid of, this is the unknown that we all dread and hate.
In such case, you may ask, “Is there any way to deal with this? Is there anything that we can do in order to survive the unexpected things in our lives?” Well, there is one thing that we can do, and that is to prepare. No one can ever predict what tomorrow may bring, but preparations would give us that well-needed cushion in order to strengthen us and lessen the impact of any form of incident or emergency that may come our way.
1. First of all, settle all your dues.
May it be a utility bill, a loan, a luxury subscription, a government tax, or even an unpaid debt from years ago, as soon as you have the cash, settle them all, leaving no pending balance behind. The thing about unpaid dues is that, they’ll never go away without any equivalent action from you, and that action only requires you to do one thing – to pay. If you were to leave any debt unsettled and an emergency situation happens, your dues may add up, thus, leaving you with little to no amount of savings. Be wise and settle everything as early as possible. Be responsible enough to initiate all of your payments without waiting for any sort of warning or penalty. Remember that prevention will always be better than cure, and no financial cure may be able to remedy a huge pile up of debt just because you failed to settle all your dues on time.
2. Gather all your paperwork.
We all have our very own personal documents at home. You probably have them neatly stacked within an air-tight suitcase above your cabinet or just below your bed. Nonetheless, they are an immediate requirement for almost any process that may involve the government, ranging from your birth certificate, your tax registrations, and even your diploma. Now, as motherly as it may sound, you need to gather all of these documents (if you haven’t still) and keep them all well-organized within a single suitcase or container. Double check that you’re not missing anything. Be sure that the container is strong enough to withstand any moisture so that none of your documents would get wet, in the case of flash floods and other calamities that may involve heavy rain. Simple as they may be, these documents represent a certain part of you, which will help the government validate information about you in the long run, and losing even one of them may leave a dent in your records, making the process a lot longer to finish. This is true, especially if you’re applying for a passport or a driver’s license. This problem is even more amplified when you’re going for a benefit or a loan. Policies are much stricter when you’re particularly asking for money, since the government or the lending company doesn’t want to suffer scams.
3. Get a comprehensive insurance.
Emergencies, calamities, accidents, you name it! People are afraid of these, not only because they cause major harm and destruction towards the welfare of people and their hard-earned properties, but also due to the fact that they cause a huge amount of expense, even after the whole ordeal is done. A flash flood may wash away half of your home, a car accident may break a couple of your bones, and a sudden jolt of lightning may cause a short circuit fire, all of these are occurrences which may cost you a huge amount of money, and you definitely want to avoid paying for everything. A comprehensive insurance may very well save you a lot of money, due to the fact that they have various forms of coverages that can pay for most of the charge caused by these unfortunate incidents. If you happen to be rich then good for you, you can obviously pay for any property damage or body injury that may come your way, but if you only happen to make ends meet every month, then an insurance would be your best friend and well-trusted companion in facing the unforeseeable future.
With all of these in mind, it may be no surprise that you’re weighing your options, analyzing which establishment would be best for availing a well-trusted microinsurance premium and coverage. Look no further than with Cebuana Lhuiller’s Microinsurance Offerings, these are affordable insurance products which help Filipinos avail of financial services and privileges that higher-income earners have easy access to.Armed with innovative microinsurance products and services that promise to minimize impact of distress and misfortune on one’s financial position, Cebuana Lhuillier offers only the best for its clients. Feel free to visit your nearest branch for more information.
Pawn Renewal: What is it and how is it done?
Pawning – The process of pawning off (surrendering) your valuables (usually in the form of jewelries and electronic gadgets) at a pawnshop. The transaction may look so simple, but there are a lot of underlying contexts within the process itself. For one, a person who pawns off a valuable item is either in need of quick cash or is no longer interested in the item itself. For the most part, the former is a more common case amongst us Filipinos. Things haven’t been easy lately, and it is just understandable for a person to trust his/her instincts and turn to pawning as a last resort. . Secondly, a person does not simply leave a valuable item within the pawnshop without coming back for it later on. There is another transaction that the patron has to undergo if he/she wants to retain that particular item in the near future. This certain transaction is the main focus of our write up, a process known as Pawning Renewal.
What is Pawn Renewal?
Simply put, it is the process of paying off the loaned amount (with interest) before the set time period expires, in order to get the valuable item back. May it be a jewelry, a gadget, or even an appliance, the borrower has to make sure that he/she would make the frequent payment dates, just so the item does not get defaulted.
What happens if the item gets defaulted?
Well, the pawnbroker has the right to sell off the valuable item, whether you like it or not. It is not an endearing situation, but this certain condition would surely be explained to you on the get-go, just so there wouldn’t be a misunderstanding once your due date is up. Now, you might think, “Well, I didn’t know that pawning off my most-prized possessions meant that I would no longer have them back.” It’s actually not that simple. You see, every item that is being pawned off would be inspected first. If it’s in good condition, then you’d be lent a great amount of cash. If it’s in a low quality condition, however, you would only be given a small amount. The process of inspecting the item and coming up with a fair, equivalent price is what you’d call an appraisal. You may have heard of it before during your last visit to the pawnshop. Determining the value of an item is not easy, so be thankful the next time that you’d get a huge amount out of an ordinary-looking gold-plated watch; the pawnbroker may have been very generous to you.
Take note that your pawned off items can still be retrieved. Pawning them off doesn’t necessarily mean giving them away, as you still have all the chance in the world to take them back, just make sure that you pay for the loaned amount, complete with the interest.
Okay, so who do I trust the next time I’m in need of quick cash?
Well, you wouldn’t even need to look further than your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch. You can never go wrong with their longstanding Pawning Service. They lead the pawning industry by offering only the safest and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in their more than 2,500 branches nationwide.
How does Pawn Renewal work in Cebuana Lhuillier?
It’s a fairly easy process. You can visit the nearest branch where you pawned your item for your renewal transaction. Cebuana Lhuillier also has a renew anywhere facility. You just need to bring your pawn ticket and a valid ID when visiting the branch. Take note, however, that there will be a P50 convenience fee per transaction. You can even check your renewal amount indicated on the lower left portion of your pawn ticket.
Do other pawnshops do this as well?
Of course, they do. Pawn Renewal has always been at the heart of a pawning businesses. When people who are in need manage to get back on their feet, they’ll be coming back in the pawnshop to retrieve their most-prized possession, thus, retaining only what they’ve surrendered in the very beginning, nothing more, nothing less.
What separates Cebuana Lhuillier from the other pawnshops here in the Philippines?
Here is an official statement from Cebuana Lhuillier’s official website:
“Cebuana Lhuillier provides the country’s leading pawning service to Filipinos in need of instant cash, offering a 30% higher appraisal rate VS other pawnshops hence, higher take home. Our 2,500 branches accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collateral, the company’s core business has evolved with the needs of its clients.”
Let us put emphasis on the phrase “offering a 30% higher appraisal rate VS other pawnshops.” Cebuana Lhuillier isn’t just about the profit, they also serve to help out each and every Filipino who are down on their luck already. The company has been around for decades, and from the very beginning, it has always been about giving the Filipino people an exemplary service worthy of any other VIP out there.
What items do they accept?
They usually accept the following items:
- Gold
- Diamond
- Platinum jewelry and watches
- Cellphones
- Laptop computers
How complicated would the pawning requirements be? Do I have to bring many documents just to pawn off my valuables?
No, a very big NO. As a matter of fact, Cebuana Lhuillier’s pawning service has always been about simplicity and convenience, much so that they’d only require at least one (1) of the following as a valid form of identification.
- Passport
- Driver’s License
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
- Police Clearance
- Postal ID
- Voter’s ID
- Barangay Certification
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
- Social Security System (SSS) Card
- Senior Citizen Card
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
- OFW ID
- Seaman’s Book
- Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration
- Government Office and GOCC ID, e.g., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP ID)
- Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF ID)
- 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 (IBP) ID
- 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
With all of that being said, never forget about renewing your pawned off item. Once you finally have a good amount of money, you can pay off the loan (with a small interest) and retrieve your jewels back. Feel free to visit their official Pawning page for more information: https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/pawning/.
Compartmentalization: The Art of Separating Your Expenses
Oftentimes, we find ourselves with a lot of expenses, bills, and essentials-to-purchase that we forget to budget our financial resources. Understandably, people often want to spend their money in one go, so as to avoid overlooking any pending balances. People need to pay their dues, after all, and failing to do so would either result in penalties or sanctions. Essentials such as groceries and food are top of mind when asked what people spend on. Failing to buy groceries may leave you with a lesser budget to use later or worse, not having any supplies at But the thing about spending all your money in one go is that it doesn’t give you any opportunity to save. Of course, you may no longer have a pending balance and a shortage in household supplies if you were to spend them now, but therein lies the important question, “Is it possible for you to rank your expenses, and in turn, segregating your budget allocation?” If your answer to this question is a resounding “Yes!” then you are on the right track.
The art of separating your expenses would not only enable you to save, it would also help you prioritize your payments from one another, in the sense that you would be able to hold off one form of expense just so you can pay off the most important bill first. These following tips and examples may be able to help you in budgeting using this method.
1. Be reminded of the due dates.
Bills and subscriptions will always have their own set of due dates. They are, after all, a written form of alarm, which would always remind you of the last day of payments. Obviously, there are consequences when you don’t pay your dues on time. For some, it is a mere penalty, for others, it may be a straight-up discontinuance of service, and you wouldn’t want that to happen. In such cases, be sure to read your bills thoroughly, and be mindful of all your due dates. Sincesubscriptions and utility bills have separate due dates, it would be very helpful to arrange them in order. Whichever has the nearest due date should be dealt with immediately, then the one that follows right after, and so on. There are actually two advantages in paying off bills “in order”:
- Not paying everything in one go would actually leave you with something in your pocket (a sort of emergency fund), just in case something unexpected comes up.
- Paying in intervals may intertwine your current budget with your salary day/payday, thus, giving you an extra amount in the process.
It’s a form of a financial cushion, especially during these hard times, when the economy isn’t doing very well.
2. Sort out your priorities.
Segregating your purchases like groceries, wants, etc. may give you a well-needed time to reflect on the things that really matter, on the things that you’d really need. For example, if you were to analyze your purchases between canned goods and new earphones instead of buying them both and spending all of your budget, you may come to the conclusion that the canned goods are more important than the earphones itself, an item which you may very much still purchase, but only at a later time. Food is more valuable than electronics after all. The same goes for clothes, gadgets, sanitation items, toiletries, etc. We’re sure that while mentioning those items, you were already able to form a ranking at the top of your head, with the essentials going at the top of the list and the gadget at the bottom. Perhaps it’s our practical nature, telling us what we’d need to survive on a daily basis, rather than the things that we may call luxuries. Either way, ranking your shopping list would not only be a practical thing to do, it would also be very responsible, as you’d be wise to go for the needs before the wants. Segregate them and watch your money grow with each passing payday.
3. Time your budget wisely.
People often overlook the fact that time and money goes hand in hand. Both are very crucial resources, and if you were to mishandle any one of them, it may affect the other and leave you with lesser resource than before. This is true, especially with your monthly dues. We all have bills to pay, that’s a fact. We also have a limited time to pay them off before receiving penalties. Now, similar to the very first pointer, timing your payments would not only leave you with a “ready amount” on-hand, it would also allow you to sort through your dues and determine which should be paid first. This may become a bit tricky, especially if your bills were to intertwine with your grocery days. “Which one should I pay first? Should I buy less in order to pay for my bills? Perhaps I can still buy this essential item, but only after my next salary arrives.” These thoughts are pretty much the reason why timing your budget would be beneficial, as it gives you more time to think and strategize about your well-earned money. This is far more crucial when you have your own family, as you’re not the only one who’s going to enjoy the fruit of your wise financial decisions.
With all of these in mind, you may be looking for a well-trusted name that would safely value the security of your hard-earned money and savings during these hard times. Well, look no further than Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings. At its core, it aims to provide easier banking access to all Filipinos. The product is almost the same with any regular savings account in the Philippines, but does not require a maintaining balance. It is also streamlined across all Cebuana Lhuillier branches, so you’d be able to experience the same wonderful MicroSavings service without missing a beat. For more information, feel free to visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier now!
Paying On Time: The Different Bills That We Encounter and How We Can Settle Them All Wisely
Every month we receive various bills which correspond to the utilities and subscriptions that we have at home. Whatever we consume within the whole month, may it be water or electricity, we have the obligation to pay for the consumption fee. Now, depending on how you’ve utilized these important resources, your bill may either be low or high. If you’ve managed to conserve water, then your water bill will reflect a low consumption rate. If you’ve wasted too much water, however, then the opposite rate can be expected towards your next bill. In such case, it would be safe to say that only you and you alone would be the catalyst of your monthly bill reflection. Your actions may either bag you savings or consequences, and you’d definitely go for the former rather than the latter. In such case, let us discuss the different types of bills you receive on a monthly basis, their possible content (usage rate), and how you can best utilize them without breaking the bank, so to speak. As always, these tips may vary depending on your monthly budget and income, but if you’re looking for alternative ways to save up on your utility bills then feel free to apply the following:
1. The Electricity Bill
Electricity, energy, power, whatever you may want to call it, only one thing is certain, it is one of the most vital thing within a household. We all need our daily supply of electricity. Your TV, your fan, your computer, your cellphone charger, all of it requires electricity. Can you imagine a world without it? None of the technology we have today would even function without a helpful jolt of power. With all of that being said, it would only be appropriate to pay your monthly power bill, after all, you were able to consume all of it to your heart’s desire, you were able to enjoy all of the comfort brought about by electricity in all its glory. Now, if you’re scared of receiving a high energy bill every month, we have a solution for you – conserve your energy consumption. It may seem like a hard task, as understandably, you may never get enough of your computer screen during the weekends. But no worries, we are not here to deprive you of your hobbies, rather, push you towards the right direction in not overdoing it. Here are a just a few helpful tips:
- Turn off the lights during the day. Feel free to open your window curtains and let the sunlight in.
- Turn off the air conditioner once the surrounding air has cooled down. Open a fan to circulate the cool air. In this way, you consume less electricity, since the electric fan isn’t as power hungry as the A/C unit.
- Take your cellphone off its charge once the battery has reached a 100%. Contrary to popular belief, a cellphone charger still consumes energy even when the unit battery has reached full charge.
- Don’t leave the television on at night. If you feel that you might fall asleep on the couch, set the TV timer at least an hour while tuning in, in this way, your TV will automatically turn off, even after you’ve lulled off to sleep.
These are just some of the things to apply towards your daily routine in order to help you conserve electricity for the whole month. Some of them may seem like a small, simple act, but these simple things, when done on a regular basis, would yield big savings.
2. The Water Bill
We probably do not need to mention this, but water is the most important substance on earth. You may need food and air, but without water, it all amounts to nothing. It isn’t called the universal liquid for nothing. Now, just like your monthly consumption of electricity, water should be conserved as well. The thing about water is that it runs on a meter, so the amount reflected on your bill would only be an indicator of how you were able to utilize this essential substance. Of course, no one is going to stop you from brushing your teeth, taking a bath, getting a glass to quench your thirst, washing your clothes, etc. These are all normal activities, everyone does it, so there is nothing wrong about consuming water this way. However, the process in which you execute these activities, that is where the neglect and overuse happens. These following tips may very much explain that, while at the same time, provide an idea of proper water consumption:
- Patch up any leak that may appear on your pipes.
- Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. Doing this will save you six (6) liters of water per minute.
- Use a watering can to water your plants. Do not use a hose, as the water drops would be continuous and wasteful.
- Always use full loads in your washing machine. This eliminates unnecessary washes in between.
3. The Phone Bill
Communication is vital nowadays. During these hard times, you may find yourself working at home, and that can only be possible if you have your own laptop/computer, phone line, and internet connection. Unlike your average supply of water and electricity, the phone bill usually does not adhere to “consumption” rates, but rather, they rely on “Plan Subscriptions” to determine how much they’d charge you every month. This is made evident with your bundle plans. Most telecommunication companies prefer to offer their phone services bundled with their internet services. This was implemented as it is somehow more affordable than availing them separately. In terms of budgeting for such a fixed monthly rate, the best that you can do would be to choose a plan that fits your budget and provides all the main features that you’d be needing for your daily activities. You do not need a very fast internet speed if all that your work would entail are documents and files. The opposite can be said about jobs which would require a consistent cycle of online calls and video conferences.
With all of that being said, it is only understandable that sometimes, we may not be able to pay for all of these monthly bills in one go (we’ve all been there). Yes, you may be able to pay off one or two bills, but the remaining bills that goes unpaid beyond the due date would surely garner a penalty fee, thus, giving you more expenses than you’ve ever bargained for. In such case, it may be time to ask for help, to ask for financial assistance from your loved ones or most-trusted friends.
Never be embarrassed to raise the white flag and pick a well-trusted remittance center to receive the well-needed financial help. At this point, every centavo counts, and no other remittance center would value your trust and finances more than Cebuana Lhuillier, with their most reliable Money Remittance service ever. Be sure to visit the nearest branch now for more information.
Riches at the Comfort of Your Home: Cebuana Lhuillier’s Pawn from Home Service
Filipinos are trying their best to gain extra money during the COVID-19 pandemic. For some circumstances, people tend to consider pawning their valuable possessions in order to meet their needs. Because of this, Cebuana Lhuillier wants to help in any way to make pawning faster, more reliable, and safer. The microfinancial services giant introduced a new platform called the Pawn from Home Service where you can pawn your precious items from the comforts of your home.
Below are the three (3) steps on how you can pledge.
- Scan the QR code or visit Cebuana from Home website
- Choose PAWNING and enter your contact information, jewelry details, and upload a photo of your jewelry for appraisal.
- Submit your fully accomplished e-form and wait for Cebuana Lhuillier’s agent for further instructions.
The Pawn from Home Service can accept up to 5 items that may be pawned in every transaction. The items accepted include:
- Diamond
- Gold
- Platinum jewelry
- Watches
- Cellphones
- Laptops
- Computers
You can enjoy a 30% higher appraisal rate on your gold items when you pawn it because the value of gold is continuously rising in the market. You can also be more protected from the virus because as part of the new service, Cebuana will be the one who will collect your item and give your loan amount.
Here are their onsite pawning procedures.
- Confirmation
Cebuana Lhuillier’s rider will confirm your request by giving you your reference number for your transaction. You should be able to confirm it to be able to proceed with the delivery.
- Offsite Prep
Expect that the rider will do the following for safety procedure:
- Ask for a secured place within the gated wall of the customer’s residence.
- Set up a mini table and chair
- Ask the customer to place the valuable item to be pawned on a tray.
- Disbursement
Once the item is appraised and agreed to the amount, the rider will give you the loan money through the following options:
- Cash for any amount maximum of P5,000
- Remittance number or credit to your micro-savings account for any amount exceeding P5,000
Cebuana Lhuillier provides the leading pawning services in the country today and it will continue to make your life easy especiallyduring the quarantine period. It has more than 2, 500 branches nationwide that will cater to the Filipinos by accepting different valuable items in exchange for a fair loan amount—even when you’re staying home.
If you want to know more about our services and products, visit us at www.cebuanalhuiller.com
Get Connected: Online Alternatives to Everyday Transactions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised the public to shift to contactless transactions and avoid in-person activities as well as handling money as much as possible as they can be a potential COVID-19 carrier and accelerate the spread of the disease. This is not new since digital or online transactions have been existing around the globe for years already. Many businesses and banks have already pioneered digital transaction for the convenience of their consumers which includes easy payment and for security purposes.
Here’s a rundown of some activities you can do online to avoid in-person transactions.
- Check your balance
- View your bank and transaction statements
- Transfer funds
- Pay your bills, loans and other obligations
- Buy or sell goods
Moreover, when buying or selling products or services, what you need to do are the following:
- Pre-purchase/Sale – check the details of the product or service that is advertised online.
- Purchase/Sale – when you like a particular product or service, you buy it and make the payment online.
- Delivery stage – the goods that you bought will be delivered to you.
These stages in your online transaction are the easiest ways, so you will no longer need to go outside and travel back and forth from your house to a store.
How does digital or online payment work?
The no face-to-face transaction is really a big help amid the quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can use it to help avoid the proliferation of cases. All you have to do is connect your device such as a phone, a desktop, or a laptop to the internet, and then choose to process your payment for goods or services through online transactions via debit card, credit card, or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
The first two choices are the most common ways of online payment here in the Philippines. The debit card is a direct debit transaction, meaning, it’s a way to transfer funds in real-time from a bank account to a merchant or an automated teller machine (ATM). By using the credit card, you can borrow money from a financial institution to make a purchase. Just don’t forget to pay full or on time to avoid paying the interest charges or late fees and make a minimum payment so you can pay less than the full balance. The latter option allows payment by using electronic signals to transfer money. When you start an EFT, signals are sent from the terminal via 128-bit encryption which makes it more secure in transferring your money. The 128 -bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption renders 1 million different combinations, so it would be impossible for the average hacker to guess your sensitive information.
When using one of these options, you have to give information about the transfer, such as your account number, account holder name, and the transfer amount.
Due to the limited stores, banks, and businesses open and numerous applications for each, many are having a hard time processing their transactions. It’s very efficient now that there are non-bank financial services providers that are offering a single and efficient way to do all of your online transactions. Thanks to Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, these are made possible through the Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings and the eCebuana Mobile App.
By using the eCebuana app, you can do the following.
- Receive shipments from other banks to your micro-savings account.
- Send money to other micro-savings accounts.
- Check micro-savings balance.
- Send money to another Cebuana Lhuillier branch
- Make an e-load or pay your bills online
Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings
Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is almost the same with any regular savings account, but the good thing about this is that it doesn’t require a maintaining balance. Kids as young as 7 years old can open their own Micro Savings account, and it can be considered as a “kids savings” or a “junior savings” account.
You can open your account by visiting the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch to fill out some forms. You will be needing P50 for the minimum initial deposit, a P100 card fee (for clients without 24k card), and one (1) Government-issued ID such as passport, driver’s license, birth certificate (for minors only), or student ID (applicable only if the student is currently enrolled).
And for faster and more convenient transactions, you may connect your Micro Savings account to your eCebuana app. By doing so, you need to connect and register your 24K card number to the application to proceed with your desired transactions.
COVID-19 truly challenges traditional banking and business habits, but through adapting to their digital solutions and fintech, you will no longer have difficulty making any transaction. It will not just make your life easier, but also safer.
If you want to know more about our services and products, visit us at our www.cebuanalhuiller.com