Addicted to Cards

Save for some, where reason for card debt is an emergency (family beinghospitalized, etc.) or lost source of income...
For most of us the culprit for card indebtedness is the big "S". Let's face it shopping is addicting. And credit cards come in handy if you don't have cash with you. Unfortunately for some its too late in the card swiping game before they get to realize that they are actually spending more than what they can afford to pay after. Thus you end paying only the minimum amount and the outstanding balance is charged a whopping interest of 3% (that is 36% annualy), plus so many other charges – many of which you've only heard of now.

Here's some tip on card usage:
(1) Know your budget and DO NOT spend outside your budget.
(2) Maintain only two cards (the 2nd card is an emergency card). Onecard is enough. Cards are temptations, if its in your wallet, you are more likely than not to use it (even if you don't need to). Trust me it is difficult to balance multiple cards in your wallet.
(3) Mind your due dates and pay on time. Card centers have grace periods of 3-5 days, but if your payment gets posted after the grace periodyou are charged an additional for late payment.(4) Get the most out of your card – charge your utilities to your cardand earn rewards.
(5) Do not do – CASH ADVANCE. For cash advances you are charged with a cash advance fee right away and it is still part of your outstanding (meaning part pa din into ng papatawan ng interest, so double whammy).
(6) If possible pay in full. Isipin palagi na sayang ang interest (If your outstanding is P10,000, for an interest of 3% that is P300 already. So if you pay P400, effectively you have only paid for the interest).
(7) Learn to read the fine prints and the asterisk "*". There is always an added condition for freebies.

For those who have read this posting way too late... you can try asking your card issuer for an account restructure. In restructuring the interest may be lowered or waived, other charges may also be waived. Tell the card issuer, you have so many cards and you fear you might not be able to settle everything thats you why you want to pay them, but can only manage so and so amount... some issuers will be willing to waive the other charges (not the principal though).

I have not heard of anyone who was put in prison for not paying his loan,except if you issue a check that bounces that would be estafa. Otherwise, you would just be asked to issue a promissory letter, "promising to pay". If you do not have a means to pay they can't force you out of your home nor confiscate your belongings (unless the issuer is able to prove that themoney used to buy your stuffs were charged from your card).

Ensure to pay of your dues. Credit card companies has an association thatshares bad records and the bad record also gets reported to the Bankers Association of the Philippines . The record stays there forever, unlessyou settle fully the total amount due, our name is still there but with notation that you have settled already. This would affect your credit rating and it would be difficult to get a loan from a Bank (not sure if SSS/GSIS also gets access to these reports) when you need one. Bad records would may also harm your employability. Good companies before hiring people checks on their candidates credit rating/record. Moreover, if you have plans of migrating/working abroad, your bad credit rating may also surface.

In summary, use your card wisely!

Pains of House Building

House CONSTRUCTION is such a big word. Not to mention EXPENSIVE.We
have been planning since like ages and with two kids (ages 1 and 5) in tow, it
better be soon.

We lived in a 4BR bungalow type house owned by my parents, who migrated abroad and left us the house. It is an old house. I was barely six (6) years old when we moved there. I recall that we were one of the first houses in the
village and that the road was not even paved, when we first moved in.You can just imagine the toll left on an old house by Millenio and Ondoy! We just had to rebuild!

(this old house)

Finally on January 3, 2010, with our amassed strength, we got a bank loan (in addition to our savings) and started building our "dream house".

SOME TIPS ON HOUSE CONSTRUCTION (FROM PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE):

(1) Be sure you have the house titles in order, especially if you have plans of applying for a mortgage.
(2) Depending on the total cost of your dream home, you need to have at least P100,000 to P200,000 to ensure continued construction. Release of loan for construction is staggered and the bank will not release until your contractor is able to deliver the needed percentage of completion.

(3) Even if you are getting a loan from a bank, you would still be shelling out the cost of MRI, CARI, Fire Insurance, documentary stamps and registration. For a P3M loan this would cost you an additional P50K. This does not include the building permit and other permits you need settled with city hall.

(4) Do on line research. It would give you an idea on whats efficient, comfortable and nice to look at.

(5) Try applying Feng Shui to your designs. I heard that the value of the house appreciates when feng shuied!
(6) If you want to get rid yourself of the trouble... less ofcourse the additional expense, hire yourself a contractor! This what we did. Hire somebody you know! Otherwise get referrals.
(7) Even with a trusted contractor, be involved in selecting the flooring, roofing and the house colors (interior and exterior).
(8) You need additional permits to move in. Yup, "gastos ulit".
(9) Finally, if you think you are done with the "gastos". Think again! With a beautiful house... you would need fine sets of furnitures and appliances.

Some pictures from our new home :)
(The Masters' Bedroom)

(The Masters' Bathroom)

(terrace)

(1st floor, sala-dining-kitchen area)

Miracle first hand

Our son, Raj Jibril, then five months old was admitted at the Philippine Heart Center - Pediatric ICU last Feb 7. He was to remain there for 1 1/2 months. He has contracted a highly toxic bacteria called “staph” and was diagnosed for Staph Pneumonia.

His lung condition was so bad; he was close to blue when we first got him to the PHC. We were told that this bacteria is an aggressive type, abroad, patients afflicted with this bacteria die in less than 72 hours.

Doctors were not expecting our baby to make it. His breathing was 80% ventilator dependent, his fever round the clock, he also has bleeding in his stomach and his lungs were 90% filled with water and pus.

His next three weeks at the PHC was a nightmare. He was intubated (tube into his mouth straight to his lungs), dual tube inserted into his right chest for draining off the liquid, air leaks and pus in his lungs. He has needle marks in his arms, wrists and legs. He also has two cut downs one in each of his inner thighs. Seeing him like that was a very painful sight.

His condition worsened on week three. He has not responded to any of the numerous (4th generation antibiotics) medicines administered to him. His body is no longer fighting off the bacteria in his body. The bacteria have been in there for so long his body is now being tricked into thinking it is already part of his system.

Although pus and liquid coming from his lungs has lessened, air leaks continues to increase and will not stop.

Doctors explain that if the bubbles coming out of our baby’s lungs persist they would have to operate as liquid and puss will again set in, if the leaks are not patched or removed.

Doctors did a CT Scan on our son, only to confirm what his numerous x-rays and CBC checks indicate, his lungs are severely damaged. His left lungs 90% non-functioning and his right showing indications of 50% damage as well.

At that time, operating - opening up our baby to see the extent of the damage and salvage whatever can be saved from his lungs was the best option. We agreed to an operation, how could we not? Our son has five specialist attending to him - two pediatric surgeons, two pediatric pulmonologist and a pediatric cardiologist.

He was scheduled for operation on Feb 20 (Friday), he looks so fragile and so helpless - we wonder how will he make it out of that OR. Operating might further weaken him and give the bacteria an ideal condition to take full control.




Doctors have given us very little hope. We were told to pray and expect the worst.

We decided, we are not losing hope and will put our trust in God.

We have sought and begged for prayers from friends and families. People were praying for Jibril 24-7 around the world from all religious denominations - Muslims, born again Christians, El Shaddai, were all seeking God’s intervention for Jibril’s recovery.
Everything was ready day of the operation, noon time, his schedule. The OR was set, blood for transfusion, in case of heavy blood lost available. We then saw his doctors walk by towards the ICU - to do a final run down and discussion the operation plan. We anxiously wait to be called, but the call only came at 330pm.



God has given us a miracle in Jibril. His lead surgeon, noticed that there was a sudden decrease in bubbling (from (3/4 of a 5-litter bottle to a less than a 1/8), the drop, was substantial to call off the operation. Doctors said, they are waiting off three more days and if Jibril’s condition continues to improve, an operation is no longed needed. It has been a month since and Jibril’s health has been improving.

We were finally released from the hospital on March 23.

Doctors were not able to explain what happened. It took them 3 1/2 hours to deliberate and decide to call off the operation. Our son is healing slowly and is now back in his old self.

God saved our son, He has allowed him to live and become a living testament of His glory.

Thank you for your incessant prayers. Your prayers and faith has given our son a second chance in life.