1. Keep a record or memorize your credit card number and your issuing bank’s contact details which can be found at the back of your credit card.

2. If you are issued a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for ATM Cash Advance Transactions,  memorize it and destroy the mailer on which it was sent to you. never change your PIN to combination that could easily be identified such as your birthday.

3.  Keep a copy of your transaction receipt so you can match them against your monthly statement of account. Report any charges that you do not recognize immediately or within the designated timeline stated in your statement of account.

4. Never share your credit card details and PIN to any person. Transactions that use your credit card number and PIN may be charged to you.

5. Notify your issuing bank of any changes in your contact details and address.

6. Personally hand over your credit card to the cashier when paying for transactions.

7. Always make sure that the amount on the transaction slip is the actual amount of your purchase before you sign. Never sign a blank transaction slip.

8. Make sure to secure your card while shopping. If your card get lost, immediately call your issuing bank to avoid paying fraudulent transactions.

9. To ensure that you are not logged on to a spoof website, check the URL address starts with “http”. Moreover, there should be a padlock icon located at the lower right portion of the webpage to indicate that it is a secured website.

10.  Your issuing bank will never call you to ask for your credit card or your account information. Should you receive such calls or letters, always call your issuing bank on the number at the back of your credit card for verification.

11. Endorse or sign all credit cards as soon as they are received from the bank.

12. Keep a list of your credit card numbers and the card company’s call center/ emergency hotline numbers in case of diputes, questions or to report a lost or stolen card.

13. Never allow the use of your credit card as reference (credit card number) or as an identification card.

14. Take note whether your card is held for more than the regular time. Be alert when it is not returned to you after an unusually long period.

15. Keep your credit card in a secure place.

*This article is published in Philippine Star, March 25, 2009.

Usually, when summer hits the country, most cities and baranggay conducts free livelihood programs that aims to encourage its people make their summer worthwhile by learning new things that will eventually change their lives.

There are such like Basket Making, T-Shirt printing, Food processing and other substantial livelihood workshops that can help you create a small business in the future.

Especially for homebased individuals like mothers or those who just got kicked out of work, grab this opportunity to learn new things that will help you on your financial needs.

Enroll yourself, remember that education is ageless. Make your summer memorable by making yourself productive. Learn new things and explore in small business!

It’s summer time! One of the most anticipated season here in the Philippines, because summer is equal to vacation for students and lucky employees!

However, summer means tremendous heat as well! Especially now that we can feel total climate change. But! don’t just dwell with the heat, take it as an opportunity to open for a surely click business like Refreshments!

Selling Halo-Halo, shakes and smoothies were one of the click business for summer. You don’t have to exert more efforts to advertise your business because people were the one who will look for your stall!

Plus, putting up this business is very affordable thatn you can sell it just beside your house!

We have should look “summer” not just the time to have fun and unwind, we must grab  the great opportunity it brings like starting a small business.

Making and Saving money is quite hard to do in this kind of economy we have. However, we must go on and think of an alternative way to earn money. Venturing in a small business or getting a part time job is a great alternative to sustain our daily finances.

Here are my Top 5 alternatives to get extra income:

1. Computer Shop- Computer shops are one of the most in trend and progressive business to put up nowadays.

2.  Apply for a Home based online job- There are websites online that hires people who can send articles to them by daily or weekly basis. The payment will depend on how many article you sent. The minimum pay is p300 per article.

3. Join in a Direct Selling Company- This is really works for employees who want to earn an extra income. Direct Selling is not time consuming, you can even sell your products on breaktime or after work.

4. Bake Cakes and Pastries- For those who want to earn while at home, venturing in this business is also great. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to start in this kind of business, all you need to have is a baking skills.

5. Create a Blog- This is the most common way of getting paid nowadays, without exerting too much effort. Just create a blog, make it as creative and well viewed,  and apply to GoogleAdsense, you will get paid from the ads that the google had posted to your blog or site.