If you are struggling with debt and want to take action to improve your financial circumstances, debt consolidation could be the answer you are looking for. If you are making monthly payments on multiple credit cards and other loans, a lot of your income is disappearing just to service debt. In other words, your money isn’t benefiting you at all. By combining all your debts into one loan with a substantially lower interest rate, you can free up extra income to spend in ways that benefit you and your family.

Posted: 09:47:00 | 2008-02-13
By Dr. Johnny Noet Ravalo
INQUIRER.net

The quiet quandary among savers lately is finding opportunities that provide good returns. Basic bank deposits --- although more for parking funds than outright investing --- now have near-zero returns. Some banks require a minimum outstanding balance for the depositor to even qualify for interest. For those that still offer some interest, the lowest that I have seen is a rate of about one-tenth of one percent and this is still taxable at 20 percent withholding tax.

Posted: 07:39:17 | 2008-02-20
By Dr. Johnny Noet Ravalo
INQUIRER.net

In the last six paragraphs of this piece, I share with Erick some financial instruments he may want to consider. However, the context of that short version starts from another question.

By R.C. Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 14 (PNA) – There is big money in milk production yet the Philippines is only producing a dismal one percent of the country’s requirements, getting the huge 99 percent deficit from imports.

Many factors go into fixing an allowance. These are the three main ones:

Your Child's Age

Young children should get a smaller allowance than older children. While some families give the same allowance to all their kids even though they're of different ages, this isn't the usual approach. Most give more money to their older kids than younger ones.

June is fast approaching. The department stores that were once filled with bathing suits, goggles, and beach balls are being replaced with school bags, notebooks, pencils, crayons, etc. Before you and your kids get so excited and go on a shopping spree, hold on a moment to plan your budget.

After the wonderful wedding and an incredible honeymoon, you and your newly wed spouse are back in your shared home. The gifts are opened and put away, bills are looming, and it's back to work tomorrow.

The Valentine season draws billions of pesos every year. Many overspend on dinner dates, cards, jewelry, candy or flowers. However, expressing your love does not need to cost as much. Showing one's affection is more important than our presents.

Like any resolution, unless you take some action, nothing will ever change. For example, if your New Year's resolution is to lose weight, you will have to change a few eating habits and exercise regularly. You have to exert an effort to achieve your goal.

People making list
Buying special gifts
It's time to be kind to one and all
It's that time of year
When good friends are dear
And you wish you could give more than just a present from a store

When it comes to money we all make mistakes. However, we could handle our income better if we are aware of the mistakes we often make. Here are some common problems we should take note of when managing our money.

With the rising of almost every product and service nowadays, we need to bend our budgets and to look for ways on how to cost cut.

1. Act like a star at work. Whether you're a clerk or a CEO, do the things a world-class employee would do, from the way you walk to the way you talk to the way you tackle hard tasks and difficult people. Act like a star and you boost your chances of becoming one.

The Holiday Season presents a financial challenge to all of us. And nowadays, there is a growing trend toward creating a less expensive holiday. By planning ahead, budgeting carefully, and resisting the temptation to overspend, you can create a terrific holiday that doesn't wreck your budget.

When it comes to electricity, the little things you do matter. Save money by using electricity efficiently. These easy, yet useful tips allow you to lower your consumption and in turn, lower your electric bill.

The main reason for having a budget is to help you see where your money is going, and where you can cut corners comfortably. Learn how to set up a budget that works for you, not against you.

They call it 'phishing.' Crooks use official-looking e-mails and fake Web sites to get your personal data, then steal from you.

Some facts about the scam:

Home electric bills tend to soar high in the summertime, especially when the outside temperature get into the mid-80s. Here are some things you can do in the summertime to help lower your bill each month.

Perhaps you've been complaining about not having monthly savings. You've been employed for a number of years now but still not a single centavo set aside for emergency situations. WYou are not alone. There are countless of people who share the same sentiment with you.

A lawyer was killed on his way to the office. His wife had never taken an interest in the family finances, leaving it all to her husband. The guy didn't apply for life insurance. Not only was the poor woman left with no husband and three young children to support but she was faced with a financial nightmare.

Fashion may come and go, but the basic rules for saving money on clothing remain the same, here are the rules.

Our ability to save is directly related to spending wisely. Here are some ideas to help us spend more wisely and save more diligently: