8 Ways to Keep Safe When Out Shopping

Shoppers this one is for you, here are tips to avoid losing money or important possessions when shopping in malls and other public places. 

1. Bring only the exact amount of money you need.
2. Bring only a limited number of credit cards.
3. Keep your bag close to you at all times. When dining, avoid placing your bag on the chair beside you. Place it on your lap instead.
4. Avoid keeping all your money in your bag. Put some of your money in your pockets.
5. Move away from dark places and avoid using isolated comfort rooms.
6. When inside an elevator, make sure that suspicious looking strangers don;t try to sandwich you.
7. Position yourself sideways on the escalator so you can see the person in front and behind you.
8. When you suspect that someone is stalking you, immediately report it to a security officer.

Save Money by Using Passive Barriers in your Personal Finance

A passive barrier is something that makes the normal activity more difficult. You can use passive barriers in your personal finance to prevent yourself from spending money.

• Not having your credit cards in your wallet. If you are prone to impulse buying through your credit card, take those cards out of your wallet and leave them at home. When you find yourself at the mall, it becomes easier to walk away from the impulse. You could also delete your card from any online service you use.

• Not passing by the mall. If you don't see the latest in thing or the sale, then you won't know what you're missing. And you won't be tempted to spend.

• Not buying piecemeal. You save money by buying your groceries every salary period instead of at the corner grocery store every time you need to buy something. Bulk items are cheaper and you avoid the temptation of buying whatever takes your fancy when you visit the store.
  

Basic Insurance Tips

Some people when they hear the word insurance, would quickly think of "EXPENSES". But insurance helps safeguard you and your family's future. Here are some tips in pinking out the right insurance for you.

• Get a Health Insurance. Prudence dictates this if you don't want to worry in the event of health problems. You also avoid being a burden to your family.

• Get a Life Insurance. Have enough life insurance to replace at least five years of your salary, or 10 years if you have kids or significant debts.

• Just Have Enough. If you're single and have no dependents, you don't need life insurance, just health insurance.

• Think Insurance If You're Buying a Car. A more expensive car mean a high priced insurance. So before you buy that dream car, take this into account.

• Write a Will. Filipinos don't usually do this but this will protect your family and help minimize quarrels (and even litigation!) among remaining members of the family.
  

Practical Money Saving Tips

Living in a tight budget is not the easiest thing to do, but it can be done. If you find that you overspend every month, here's a list of practical saving tips you can apply to help keep you expenses down.

• Pay cash whenever possible. This will help you from making a purchase unless you have actually have money available. If you decide to make a credit card purchase, be prepared to pay the balance off monthly.

• Bring your own baon. Eating out whether at a restaurant or at the office cafeteria, cost a lot more then bringing your own lunch.

• Cut down unnecessary texts and cellphone calls. Schedule calls that are not time sensitive on Sundays and off peak hours. If you can postpone your call until you get to a land line, then wait.

• Get a piggy bank and pour your change into it on a daily basis. What's important to remember is that saving a peso here and there eventually adds up. Avoid the temptation to splurge a little more just because you don't think it would save that much money. If you can shave off P300 a month from your regular expenses, that amounts to 3,600 a year.