5 Things You Should Always Buy With Your Credit Card

We’ll admit — it’s not a good idea to use your credit card if you can’t make significant payments on time, because you’ll be paying interest on your revolving balance. But if you’re a responsible credit card user, there are some things that you should always buy with your credit card. “There are some nice perks associated with using a credit card,” according to Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com, in an interview with Main Street. “But all these perks never get utilized because people don’t know about them.”

Below, we’ve listed the five things you should always buy with your credit card. Not only will putting these purchases on plastic make your life easier, but you’ll earn rewards while you’re at it:

1. Bills, bills, bills. Are you already diligent about paying your credit card bills on time? You’re missing out by not enrolling your phone, electric, and other bills to your credit card’s autocharge facility. Doing this has several advantages: You earn rewards points on your card for bills you already pay anyway You only have to remember one due date You don’t have to waste time falling in line paying for bills All you have to do is pay your credit card bill at the end of the month and all your bills are taken care of HSBC cards have AutoCharge, which allows you to enroll your PLDT, Globe, Sun Cellular, and SkyCable bills, among others. EastWest Bank credit cards also have a Quick Bills Facility covering utility and telco bills, and even Philam Life and PhilPlans. Check whether your credit card has an autocharge feature. Enrolling is as simple as filling out a quick form, and once you’ve done that, you don’t have to worry about bill payments falling through the cracks any more. Remember, though, that if you close your credit card, you should update your bill payment methods as well so you don’t run into difficulties.

2. Plane tickets. Travel is expensive. And when you figure in the cost of travel insurance, it adds up to even more. Fortunately, many credit cards give you complimentary travel insurance when you buy your plane tickets with your card. When you pay with cash, you don’t get this benefit, so when it comes to travel, always buy with your credit card. Security Bank’s Gold Mastercard gives you free insurance when you use your card to buy tickets, so you can prepare for flight delays, cancellations, and other mishaps that may occur on your trip (knock on wood). RCBC Bankards have the Travel Plus Lite and Plus Insurance programs, which provides cover for accidental death, dismemberment, and/or disablement, recovery of travel expenses for cancellations and terminations, and travel inconvenience benefits like baggage and flight delays. So when you book your flights, using a credit card with free travel insurance will give you peace of mind.

3. Appliances and electronics. Things break easily. The fancy gadgets and appliances you buy may or may not come with their own warranties. What a lot of people don’t know is that buying these things with a credit card can provide warranty (if the thing you bought doesn’t come with one) or extend it, giving you protection on your new purchase. Simply paying for these purchases with a credit card gives you an extra layer of security, knowing that you get stronger warranty assurances than if you just paid for it with cash. Read the fine print of your credit card to find out if you can get warranty by using it. For example, the BDO American Express Gold Credit Card insures any purchase you make with the card from theft, loss or damage within 30 days (up to P50,000 per occurrence). The PNB Essentials Card covers your purchased items against accidental damage and theft for 90 days from the date of purchase.

4. Overseas purchases. Exchanging money to foreign currencies when traveling is a sure-fire way to lose money. If you exchange at a Travelex at the airport, you get worse rates than you’d get at the bank. A foreign bank, while giving you better rates than currency exchanges, usually charges an extra fee if you don’t already have an account with them. And if you have money left over at the end of your trip and you change it back to pesos, you’ll essentially lose money twice due to the unfavorable exchange rates you get. Of course, you could always withdraw money from an ATM using your ATM card, but that comes with its own fees. Using a credit card while you’re travelling abroad helps you avoid these charges. Let’s look at this example. BPI credit cards charge a 0.75% foreign currency conversion fee, along with an additional 1% Visa or 0.8% MasterCard assessment fee. Meanwhile, making a foreign currency withdrawal with a BPI ATM card charges a 2% fee (if over US$175; if below that, the charge is US$3.50). And that doesn’t include the fees that the ATM you’re using will charge you — for example, Bank of America charges $3 for non-Bank of America customers. Check out how using a credit card abroad instead of making foreign currency withdrawals can save you money: credit card calculations This P539.40 you save adds up to much more if you make a lot of purchases abroad. Of course, you should still have some cash on you when you travel for emergencies and small purchases, but as much as possible, use your credit card, especially if the fees are more favorable for you. Always remember to check the foreign currency transaction fees for your card so you know that you’re getting the best deal. And with some cards, you’ll earn rewards much faster when you use your card for travel. The HSBC Platinum Visa lets you earn 4x the bonus points on overseas purchases.

5. Online purchases. There are a lot of payment methods out there now that let you buy things online, but credit cards are still the easiest, most secure way to pay for these purchases. The warranties you can get with your credit card (see #3) apply to your online purchases, so if it’s lost in transit or damaged within the time period, you can file a claim with your credit card institution. Many cards also provide virtual credit card numbers you can use to shop online with. Simply check with your bank for your virtual credit card options to keep your account secure when you buy things from online stores. Some cards come with additional protections for online purchasing. Security Bank cards come with eSecure, which lets you set limits on your internet purchases to lessen the likelihood of internet fraud making a significant dent in your bank account. Benefits like these aren't available with Cash on Delivery options or wire transfer payments, so these purchases should always be made with plastic.

Based on By imoney | iMoney Philippines 

Starting a Travel Agency

These days, travel agents may work from home or at an office as most travel arrangements are made online. To start a travel agent business, it is helpful to have a working knowledge of travel agent software, customer service experience and experience in travelling to different parts of the world. If you want to start your own travel agency, here are some tips given by www.smallbusiness.chron.com, when starting a travel agency business.

Decide whether to become an independent travel consultant or owner of a travel agency. Independent travel consultants earn commissions for the work they do for a travel agency. Consultants may work from home or in an agency's office. As a consultant, you may be limited in the types of travel services you can provide clients. Purchasing.a franchise allows you to build a business on an already successful brand, but you may still be limited in the types of services you can provide. Starting your own agency allows you to sell a wider variety of travel services while allowing you keep all the proceeds from each sale.

Determine the types of travel services to offer to clients. Travel services include transportation arrangement  (air, train, boat, car, hotel and resort reservations, cruise packages and specialized tour packages such as eco-tours or city-based tours. You may also want to specialize exclusively in family travel, senior travel, corporate travel or academic travel to set your business apart from other travel agencies.

Lease a space for your travel agency or work from home. Contact local commercial real estate agents to find available retail space. Choose a space in a busy retail area with ample parking. The space should be large enough to meet with clients while housing computer equipment, furniture and marketing materials. If working from home, create a space that allows you to work comfortably at your computer while providing adequate storage for computer equipment and software, marketing materials and files.

Create a website. Include a description of travel services, contact information and on-line booking options. Invest in computer software programs that process client bookings and payment from your website, track online marketing campaigns and captures email addresses.

Purchase general liability or home-based business insurance. Protect your business in the event of a lawsuit or settlement. Worker's compensation insurance may be necessary if hiring employees. This insurance helps pay the costs incurred through an accident or injury at the workplace.

Create marketing materials. Create materials such as brochures, business cards and flyers to promote your travel agency. Build a client list that includes email addresses, travel preferences, past travel destinations. Send email updates of travel specials, events or other information of interest to clients each business quarter to encourage sales.

Avida San Lazaro, Manila Condominium for Rent

Avida San Lazaro Condominium for Rent 

CONDO for Rent: 

 - Studio Type (23 sq. m.) 

- Avida San Lazaro 

- Semi-Furnished (AC, Ref etc.) 

- Walking distance to SM San Lazaro - Near School (UST, St. Jude, etc.) 

- Near Vertex One (Convergys) 

- With swimming pool and court. 

 - Metro Manila, Philippines 

 Pls send me a note here if interested: or email me: yhan02ph@gmail.com 

 Building Amenities: 

 •Landscaped entrance •Clubhouse •6 feet tall concrete perimeter fence •24-hour security •Adult and kiddie swimming pool •Jogging path •Children’s playground •Basketball court •Centralized water supply •Main lobby •Two elevator units •Adequate emergency power •Fire protection and alarm system •Mailbox for each unit •Drying cage for each unit •Garbage chute and Telephone and cable-ready units The location is very good as it is just right across SM San Lazaro Manila and near LRT Tayuman station. It is also within the university belt area and has a lot of nearby hospitals. Nearby Commercial Establishments: •Just across SM San Lazaro •SM Manila •Divisoria/ Tutuban/ 168 mall •Isetann •Ever Gotesco

Movies to watch-out for 2013

For those movie lovers out there, you may want to mark your calendar with this list of movies to watch-out for this 2013. Though, I'm not much of a movie goer but I think I'll take a note of this much awaited movies on the list. For me that I think will surely going to watch are Percy Jackson movies & World War Z.

Happy New Year 2013

This is a late New Year greeting from me. I know there's no excuse in just saying Happy New Year to all. But I have to admit, I've been busy with work as I always do. As a matter of fact, I was at work the New Years Eve day, so you can imagine the way my lifestyle now. It all evolves now with work to house and house to work. I promise myself this year that at least I have update on my blog once every week, so just to be on the loop with blog friends and Google radar. So it's never too late to say Happy New Year to all.

Lay your troubles on my shoulder, put your worries in my pocket

This song just came-out of my mind from nowhere. Early this morning, I felt fearful & worried of something I don't know why. Talking about fear of unknown. This usually happens to me when, I'm stress and occupied with trash thoughts which drains my positive outlook in life. Although some of it has basis, but still I rather not think about as much as possible. It lingers in my mind and leave trace of self-doubt.

I just wanna share this old song which I think gives a good message and it helps me ease some worries & troubles I'm feeling right now.

REST YOUR LOVE ON ME

Maybe you don`t know me anymore than I know you 

And I wouldn`t blame you if you walked away 

I`ve been watching you all evening 

With the teardrops in your eyes 

And it touches me much more than I can say 

You know I hate to think that someone 

Could have hurt someone like you 

And if I was them I`d be right by your side

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

Saw you in the corner on the moment I walked in 

Saw your lonely face across the room 

No, I won`t forget it 

And the way it might have been 

Oh, why did you have to leave so soon? 

You know I hate to think that someone 

Could have loved you more than me 

And at times like this I`d be right by your side

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

How long must I wait 

For the last train to leave here 

And the last chance to go home? 

Get to thinking I was born too soon 

How long, honey 

When the lovin` don`t come 

It was there when you left me 

Just didn`t know how to begin 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Put your love on me awhile 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile 

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 

Put your worries in my pocket 

Rest your love on me awhile

.

Is there a time that you feel wearing an 'in-style' clothes in an ordinary day?

For some including me, I don't wear my so called 'in-style' clothes in an ordinary day or when I'm just going to work. Most of the time when I'm outside like going to the mall or just buying something, I don't exert much effort to think of what to wear.However, I still make sure, in my own way I look decent of course comfortable with what I'm wearing. I think each one of us have different purpose of how we want to look either for ourselves or for others. But most importantly, we are happy and confident on our look. It's not just a matter of having a designer clothes or high price garments but the feeling of self-assurance that we look good and comfort it gives to us. Add to that, we could prolong the wear-ability of our 'in-style' clothes because we don't wear them often.