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Home General Interest

General Interest

Here’s the truth about bankruptcy

ARE you struggling with debt problems and have thought about filing for bankruptcy but are unsure if it’s the best option for you? Over the last 12 years, I have counseled and helped thousands of individuals in debt. From what I’ve seen, most people suffer for years in debt when they could have obtained relief sooner if they just took the time to find out what bankruptcy was really all about. Oftentimes, these people listen to advice given by well-meaning family and friends but in so doing, only make their situation worse instead of better. Why? Because most of the time, the advice they get is based on misconceptions about bankruptcy. Relying on incorrect information can be disastrous to your financial health.

Let me get one thing straight: If you are currently struggling with debt and one or both of the following statements are true- (a) your total liabilities exceed your total assets, (b) you cannot meet your financial obligations as they become due- you are ALREADY deemed insolvent or bankrupt. Now, you may be in denial about it. You may refuse to accept this reality. But you will never get anywhere with your debt problems unless you accept things AS THEY ARE, not as you wish they had been. You need to wake up and smell the coffee.

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Philippine Heritage Institute celebrates 20th year of prestige and honor

Philippine Heritage Institute celebrates 20th year of prestige and honor The Philippine Heritage Institute International, a private foundation, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on October 31 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Los Angeles."In the wake of natural disasters affecting our kababayans, we at PHI feel that we have to go on with our tradition of recognizing individuals, who through their careers, personal endeavors and volunteer work have contributed to the enhancement of community life," says Naomi Palma-Armada, PHI founder and executive director.

Mrs. Armada, who hails from Marikina, had a tremendous loss of properties herself. Yet she remains an inspiring and very passionate lady. Madame Naomi, I salute you.

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When employees take a pay cut (When is it illegal?)

Q: MY employer is proposing to reduce my hourly pay supposedly because of the bad economy. If our company is really losing money and I have to agree to a pay cut to keep my job, then I will. My problem, however, is that out of the more than the 10 employees who have the same job duties as me, it seems I am the only one being asked to take a pay cut. Is this fair? What are my rights when it comes to taking pay cuts?

A: Employers may routinely change the terms or amount of an employee’s compensation. The change may be favorable (e.g., employees get a pay raise) or unfavorable (e.g., employees get a pay cut). The employer’s ability to change an employee’s compensation will partly depend on the employment relationship and the parties’ agreements.

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Can retirement contributions be deducted from disposable income?

MANY clients complain that their net income is small even though their gross income is big because they have large retirement contributions. Therefore, they need bankruptcy relief. For instance, client’s gross income is $10,000 monthly. But his net income is only $6,000 because his retirement contribution is 20% or $2,000 monthly. His deductions are $2,000 for FICA, social security & Medicare, and $2,000 for retirement, or total deductions of $4,000, leaving him a monthly take home pay of $6,000 from his gross monthly income of $10,000. It is understandable that client feels that he financially strapped because 40% of his gross income has been deducted from salary. But matters are not that simple when client seeks bankruptcy relief. Bankruptcy law distinguishes between ‘mandatory’ and ‘voluntary’ retirement contributions. Mandatory retirement contributions are done by force. Employee has no choice but to submit to the deduction. Employee has no choice but to agree with the deduction even if he does not want to make the contribution. However, voluntary retirement contributions are deducted because employee has asked the employer to make the deduction by employee’s own choice.

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A reality check on long term care

LONG-term care is the assistance individuals need when they are unable to care for themselves and need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, continence (control of bodily functions), and eating - or they have severe cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease. The need for long-term care can result from an accident, chronic illness or short-term disability, or from advance age. Long term care can include a broad range of services, provided in any setting outside a hospital. It might be help with simple daily tasks like bathing or dressing. It might include skilled care in your own home, an assisted living facility, some other community resources, or a nursing facility.

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Money and the simple life
"I owe, I owe. So off to work I go." – Car bumper sticker, taken from the song of Snow White’s seven dwarfs, "Hi-ho, hi-ho. It’s off to work I...
Smile, your’re on intraoral camera
A Tiny new intraoral camera allows patients to see the insides of their mouth by projecting the image on a TV monitor. For many patients, this is the...
Paving a path for your child—Feng Shui case study
Q : What was the client’s main concern when they called you for a consultation?Master Jenny: Matt called and explained to me that his daughter,...
Should I save my property or let it go into foreclosure?
A LOT of homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments are asking me: Is it better to lose your house to foreclosure or file for bankruptcy...
Are Employees Required to Share Their Tips
Q.    I work as a waiter in a big restaurant and we are required to pool in our tips so that our supervisor and manager can share in the tips. ...
Proposed law for “forced” loan modification?
According to recent statistics, there were more than 3 million foreclosure filings in 2008. One in 54 homes received at least one foreclosure notice...
Keep your cool on the road
Doesit seem to you that the highway is a much more hostile place than it used to be? Do you notice a lot of rude drivers tailgating you, cutting you...
Hail to the ordinary
"… but some sage once pointed out quite rightly that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence."The world we live in is conditioned to emulate...
Bankruptcy can help you get out of a financial mess
IF you have serious debt problems, you may feel depressed and alone. It may seem like the end of the world. Your self-esteem may have suffered. You...
Congratulations to David Canepa for being elected as Daly City Councilmember
I would like to send a special congratulatory note to David J. Canepa for being elected as Council member in Daly City last November 4.    Dave,...
Senate rejects mortgage reduction bill BK amendment
PART of President Obama’s plan to reduce foreclosure was to amend the new Bankruptcy Code to empower bankruptcy court judges to reduce the balance...
FAQs of annual feng shui adjustments
Q: What are feng shui adjustments based on?A: Feng shui adjustments are based on the specific Flying Nine Star Chart that matches your house,...
Face the reality of your debt now
A CLIENT of mine said he never saw it coming. Everything he ever wanted in life, he always purchased on credit. The "pre-approved" credit cards just...
Common sense with taxes and IRS audit
IT’S purportedly every taxpayer’s nightmare: the IRS knocking at your door for an audit.For some, it could create commotion and distress....
The importance of budgeting
Budgeting is the systematic allocation of one's limited resources (income) to a potentially unlimited number of needs and wants (expenses). Budgeting...
Immigration and family unification
THERE is nothing more important than family, I know this firsthand as I have been blessed with four daughters, a son and a beautiful wife. A big...
Will you be covered after you retire?
THE life insurance coverage provided by your employer is one of the many benefits you may not think about on a regular basis. As long as you are...

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Balikbayan Magazine Issue 9 Vol. 1 November

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