Heads up to all motorists. Starting November 2, 2020, NLEX and SLEX toll road operators will only allow RFID stickers in settling your toll fees as mandated by the Department of Transportation. This transition to a full RFID system will facilitate cashless transactions, so you don’t need to panic every time you reach the toll…

Thinking of how you can grow your hard-earned money? If neither stocks, real estate investment, nor Bitcoin is your cup of tea, you may want to explore fixed deposits (also known as time deposits). A fixed deposit is one of the simplest ways to invest at low risk. However, your earnings will depend on your…

So you’re ready to apply for a credit card. You already have the requirements, but now you’re wondering what type of credit card to get. There are three common types of credit cards in the market you can choose from: rewards, air miles, and cashback. Your choice depends on the features and benefits you want.…

Electronic wallets are a must in this new normal. They allow us to manage our bills payments, money transfers, and other cashless transactions on the go. Thankfully, GCash, PayMaya, and Coins.PH help us settle payments without queues and branch visits. Alternatively, there’s an app called CLiQQ that you may want to explore. It’s useful if…

Planning to apply for a new credit card? Not satisfied with your existing credit card? Whether you’re a first-time cardholder or would like to switch, you need to compare credit cards first before signing up. Moneysmart folks keep an eagle eye on credit cards with the lowest interest rates and fees. With that said, here’s…

If you find it hard to budget your money or worse, you’ve recently been retrenched, it’s time to step back and assess your finances. Fortunately, it’s never too late to learn financial management skills, especially during this crisis. One of the things you can do to efficiently manage your expenses is to keep a record.…

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple are some of the popular cryptocurrencies that are making rounds on the internet. If you know a little about them, you should also know that a digital wallet is a must-have to store these digital assets. If you’re looking for other digital wallet options, you may want to explore the Abra wallet.…

Banking is made easy these days as banks shift to digital platforms. For instance, ING Philippines and CIMB Bank have gone branchless on new applications. Simply download the mobile app, and you can open a savings account right on your phone. With unending community quarantines in different cities and increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, it’s…

It’s tempting to be a couch potato and binge watch Netflix shows during this quarantine period. While there’s nothing wrong with entertainment, your health and physical well-being are more important these days. According to experts, people who are overweight are more susceptible to fatal conditions if they are infected by COVID-19. To strengthen your immune…

Mobile wallets like GCash and PayMaya have made it easier to send and receive money these days. Cashless payments have never been so essential, especially in our new normal. But while they offer ease and convenience, there are also transaction fees involved. Every centavo counts, so check out GCash and PayMaya’s transaction fees here and…

Opening a savings account isn’t as hard as you think. With digital banks, you don’t even have to visit the branch anymore, given that most of us would rather stay home these days. Yes, you still go through the same process of filling out forms and submitting the required documents. Only this time, it’s quick,…

The Department of Labor and Employment expects that by the end of this year, 4 million Filipinos will lose their jobs because of COVID-19. The numbers are staggering. However, retrenchment is not unheard of during economic crises and global pandemics like what we’re currently experiencing. After all, companies need to downsize and cut expenses to…

Saving money takes a lot of discipline and making moneysmart choices, and having savings in the bank is a huge relief when you have unexpected expenses during uncertain times. Fortunately, opening a savings account is easy and can now be paperless, thanks to digital banking. It’s certainly worth exploring as we all embrace the new…

Opening a bank account these days can be a hassle because of the stay-at-home orders. Thankfully, digital banks like ING Philippines are offering convenient, branchless ways to do it. Instead of visiting a local branch where you are more likely to be exposed to people, you can do it on a mobile app. Digital banking…

Online banking isn’t new to Filipinos. With most commercial banks continuously upgrading their systems, you can practically do all your banking transactions online. Why waste time queuing when you can just go online to transfer funds and pay bills, right? But online banking has its limitations, and this is where digital banking comes in. ING…

Digital banking almost shares the same concept as online banking. But full digital banking allows you to open a bank account without going to a branch. No long lines. No printed forms. Everything is online by registering on the mobile app. Let’s find out how useful digital banking is in the time of COVID-19 and…

Do you remember playing those cassette tapes in the ‘80 and the ‘90s? And then using a pencil to rewind them? Have you also downloaded mp3s and burned them in CDs? Now, you can effortlessly listen to all the music that you want on your gadgets, thanks to music streaming services. You can create all…

You are probably feeling the financial impact of the extended ECQ by now. It definitely has affected the way we earn money and how we find new earning opportunities, and not in a good way. Thankfully, the government is extending its financial support through its Social Amelioration Programs (SAP) under the mandate of the Republic…

Days before the government imposed the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in NCR and across provinces in Luzon, a lot of Filipinos resorted to hoarding and panic buying. As COVID-19 cases increased, people also flocked to the supermarkets and drugstores for food and health supplies. Local government units began to work round the clock to ensure…

As we face this global pandemic and scientists are racing to create a vaccine, you just can’t help but wonder when all this will end. The impact of this virus has already resulted in losses estimated to P91 billion. The Philippine government rolled out a P27.1 billion spending plan, and conservative estimates see this budget…

Searching for an online job during the Enhanced Community Quarantine? Or staying at home have you decided to stay and adopt work from home? Work from home is the new normal during the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Unfortunately, there are Filipinos who are under the “no work, no pay” contract. This certainly poses a huge financial…

Tired of calling customer support every year to request for a waiver of your credit card annual fees? Don’t worry, because these credit cards with no annual fees will spare you from the frustration. We have listed down credit cards from AUB, Bank of Commerce, BDO, China Bank, and Citibank, just to name a few.…

Still looking for the best home loans in the Philippines? Are you comparing interest rates and looking for the most flexible payment terms? But before you choose the one with the lowest rates, make sure you read the fine print and understand what a long-term home loan entails. Buying a home is a very exciting…

Buying a house is a long-term commitment. Are you financially prepared to buy one, and is it the right time to buy? These are just some of the important questions you need to ask yourself before speaking to a home loan officer or filling out that loan application form. Aside from that, you also need…

Buying your dream home is a major financial commitment. If you can pay for it in cash, congratulations! You don’t have to worry about scrounging up the funds to make your monthly payments for the next ten or fifteen years. But not everyone can afford to pay for a house in cash, especially if you’re…