How to Save Money While Paying Debts

You are short of cash to survive the whole month, but you can no longer borrow some money because of a very bad credit rating and history. How can you get extra cash, much more save some for stash?

Saving money is never too late even if you already have a mountain of debts to pay. With debts, the more you need to save and avoid deeper quagmire of financial trouble. With all your dues in addition to you and your family's daily needs, doing it seems so hard to do, if not impossible at all. You will never run out of options on spending your cash. Surprisingly, this is also true in settling debts.

7 Types of Jeepney Passengers You Don't Want to Ride With

I've been riding a jeepney all my life. Most people do. I prefer it over a bus if the distance is just within the Metro (I can reconsider if the bus is air conditioned). Yes, it's not the best form of transportation there is but it's the most accessible and most reliable nevertheless. If MRT or LRT won't be available on most major thoroughfares anytime soon, I guess mamang driver and I will be having more quality times together.

Typical jeepneys, the most popular mode of public transportation
in the the Philippines
(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

How Does Poverty Affect the Literacy Rate of Filipinos?

This is a short term paper on the topic of poverty and its effects in the quality of education and literacy in the Philippines as part of my requirements in Reading Course subject for my Masters in English, Major in Applied Linguistics degree.

I. Introduction

The question of literacy always comes to mind when talking about social and economic standing, both on a personal and national level.  Stereotyping leads to an erroneous notion that developing countries (also called third-world countries) have illiterate citizens and poor families have illiterate family members. Although poverty does affect literacy on all aspects, it does not solely decide the outcome and quality of education people get as seen in the statistics of developing countries, such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia in comparison to the standing of developed countries (also called first-world countries). When it comes to the reading ability of adult citizens, the country is even considerably at par with other first-world nations, such as Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Why Choose Pendant Lighting For Your House?

Choosing the right type of lighting for your home should not be based on pure aesthetics. Rather, a wise decision is needed when it comes to this household staple as this will not just ruin your entire interior design but your budget as well.

Lighting can be a very expensive thing especially if you do not know what is good for your house and what lasts longer. Add to this the electrical consumption of each type that can increase bill by up to 20%. In this time of global warming when everything seems to have its “green” counterpart, it is a must to maximize the capacity of each appliance and household fixture.

A 1927 pendant light designed by Poul Henningsen

Top 10 Retail Business Ideas for 2013

Turning the top 10 retail business ideas for 2013 into reality and succeeding in them is no surprise because retailing has been the core of business operations since the time barter was the rule rather than the exception. Many of the world’s billionaires earned their first 11-digit bank accounts by retailing their world-class products. However, that doesn't mean you need to come up with globally competitive products right away to succeed in the retail industry. 

The list below gives the top 10 retail business ideas for 2013 with the fastest Return-on-Income (ROI).

Best Tips for First-Time Buyers of Bonsai Trees

What are the basic rules for first-time buyers?

1. The rule of thumb is, the smaller the pot is, the more frequent watering and fertilizing should be (in small amounts, of course).

2. Bonsai plants may take years to flower or bear fruit. Researching on the specific plant you want to purchase is needed to make sure that your expectations will be met.

3. All maintenance requirements should be asked prior to buying, so you know how tedious the bonsai training can get.

Five Things to Know When Buying Bonsai Trees for Sale

Bonsai trees for sale are among the bestselling decor plants because they exude luxury, class, pristine beauty and freshness that will match all architectures and landscapes of any establishments. In Asia, these trees are said to bring good luck and longevity, represented by their ability to stay sturdy for centuries. For some people, they are pure elegance and status symbol.

Often passed down to generations as heirloom, bonsai trees are great centerpieces. Despite their relatively high prices in the market, many people still prefer them because they are not only decorations but guaranteed investments. Just like antique items, their prices also soar higher the older they get.

Being able to afford bonsai trees is not everything when it comes to buying. There are lots of crucial factors to be considered to make the cultivation successful. Check the things you should know before making a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions for Black Pearl Consultancy

1. What is Black Pearl Consultancy?

Black Pearl Consultancy is a security organization and consultancy firm specializing in intelligence, protection and response.

2. What are the services we offer?

Our company offers services such as:

·         Corporate Risk Management

·         Security Risk Consultancy

·         24/7 Strategic Intelligence Monitoring

·         Information and Intelligence Monitoring and Advisories

·         Area Risk Mapping and Assessment

·         Business Continuity Management (BCM)

·         Business Intelligence

·         Travel Security Management

How to Win the Gold

Diamond is girl's best friend. It’s more precious and valuable than any other stone or metal on the face of the planet. But no matter how precious an iridescent diamond is, it’s not as melodramatic as gold!

Processed pure gold is magnificently shinier and more useful than its multifaceted counterpart. Gold production, from the mining down to the smelting, is a jaw-dropping feat in itself. The value of gold starts its accrual from the production. Variation in manufacturing process spells the difference in luster and quality.

Gold bar: Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

What is the Best Way of Debt Consolidation?

When secured personal loan was first introduced by banks, the market was not promising because many prospective clients lack assets to qualify as collateral. This limits revenue generation not only of banking institutions but of the government as well.

To provide a more practical option to borrowers, unsecured personal loan was introduced to those who do not have properties on their name but have the capacity to pay premiums and meet interest accrual.

Personal Loan: Need or Want?

Banks advertise their personal loan services by tapping people's wants before the needs. It’s a universally accepted practice and legal marketing strategy at that. The tactic is used aggressively by urging consumers with occasional misleading words and picturesque benefits of having instant money from banks and other lending institutions. Loan sharks, for instance, are infamous for taking advantage of this weak spot of those who are in need – and wanting!

How many people do yearn for a dream house, a well-deserved grand vacation in the most-talked about tourist spot or a flashy car? Banks know very well what people like and what risks people are willing to take to attain what they like the most. That is the foundation of their marketing tactics to get clients and earn more from the loan interests.

FusionExcel Quantum Pendant: Fake or Real?

I’m wearing my Fusion Excel quantum pendant with pride not because I had it for free while it was sold outside for a little more than P10,000,  but because it’s a precious memento from my mom who returned to Him last 2011. Honestly, I find mine ugly and unfashionable since it belonged to the first releases which were very basic in look (as in agimat-meets-jejemon look). The subsequent models were more gaudy and plushy, though. Thanks to the embossed Swarovski crystals and various sizes and designs they incorporated.

Photo courtesy of Quantum Science

Where were you at 25?

I have lots of insecurities as I turn 25, probably because I had high hopes and dreams when I was younger. In other words, I failed to attain my visions for myself at this age. Inappropriately, as a result, I tend to see myself as piteous as my entire frustrations blow out of proportion. These frustrations clout my judgment and darken my acceptance for blessings I've been given.

Guiltily, I feel good self-pitying sometimes. It boils the dormant motivations hidden within me and makes me burst with fighting spirit just to end up wallowing in self-pity once again. It’s a vicious cycle, a tempting loop that no one should enter.

Expectations are the best set of personal standards if they stay on the realms of reality. But what if even realistic expectations turn out to be as implausible as wild dreams? It certainly is subjective and although other people regard me the other way around, my insecurities still pull me down to dampen, rotten spirit.

I’m bitter, but I think I have valid reasons. Let me enumerate the “before and after” of my one score and half a decade of existence.

Knowing Me By Numbers

I was doodling one boring early evening in the office (I don’t remember why I stayed late to begin with) when I started scribbling numbers out of my numerically incapable brain. It was refreshing to see myself play with numbers especially that numbers are my worst enemies. I loved them before and I thought I did well in math subjects (I once competed in statistics quiz bee in college), but somehow, I find computation unnecessarily toilsome (scientific calculator, hello?). I was best in math several times in elementary, but English and science had always been my babies (until Ma’am Notarte made me hate science so much; Ma’am Ladignon revived it though). Formulae and undecipherable symbols (to me, at least) amused me.

As a writer, it makes me wonder if I can do the same thing with numbers as I do to words and punctuations. That is, tell a story.

I’m starting with myself. May I present to you, the numbers in my life!