Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Vehicle maintenance is one of the more bothersome aspects of automobile ownership. Taking your ride into Auto Shop or Dealer is often like having a tooth pulled–painful, but necessary. Maintenance also can be confusing: Which service interval should you follow, the “normal-duty” or “severe-duty” schedule? Severe-duty applies to vehicles that operate under a variety of…
“BUY real estate in areas where the path exists and buy more real estate where there is no path, but you can create your own” -David Waronker, American real estate investor. The presence of a number of Central Business Districts (CBDs) in the Philippines is a clear indication that the country is experiencing a booming…
White House appeals amnesty restraing order to Court of Appeals Client no. 1 CLIENT no. 1 is in her fifties. She comes to see me regarding a lawsuit by a credit card collecting $7K. Aside from this, she owes another $11K, for a total of $18K total credit card debt. She has a story to…
FOR those of you who itemize, the table below should be of special interest. For those of you who play the odds (you know what I mean), this table should be of very special interest. Having claimed too many exemptions at work to increase your take-home pay, you suddenly find yourself owing Uncle Sam a…
Q: I WORKED in a company for over 10 years. A new supervisor and I do not get along. Last week, the company let me go without any explanation. I don’t have any disciplinary record. Can the company just fire me without a good reason? A: Yes, an employer may fire an employee without a…
HAVE you ever faced a situation in your life where you needed help so badly but you were just too afraid or embarrassed to ask for it? Perhaps you felt confused and overwhelmed with the problem that you spent sleepless nights trying to figure out what to do. As a bankruptcy attorney, over the years…
One seeks to discharge $20K and another $30K WE all go through different stages in life. When you are in your twenties, your whole life is ahead of you. You may be starting a family or starting your career or profession. You’re buying your starter home. If you have children, your whole life is centered…
When employees are entitled to additional pay Q: I AM a full-time employee at a company that pays us on a piece-rate basis for every task that we finish. For an eight-hour shift, we are told we are entitled to two paid 15-minute rest periods. What does this mean for a pieceworker like me? A:…
FACING difficult financial times can be a frightening thing for a lot of people. When bill collectors are hounding you, at some point, you realize that something must be done but you just don’t know where to begin or where to go for help. Often, options can also be confusing unless you get the right…
PAY attention to your filing status because it determines your standard deduction, tax due, or refund. Here are 12 tips to help you choose your correct filing status: 1. There are five filing status options to choose from: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household and qualified widow/widower with dependent child. 2….
Sensitive teeth, severe dental erosion and facial pain are therefore common symptoms of patients with anorexia and bulimia. Everything we put into our mouths affects our overall health, but there are some eating habits that have the disadvantage of contributing specifically to poor oral health as well. Eating Disorders: Teenagers and young adults are more…
Too late to strip 2nd mortgage I SAW debtor about 4 years ago, and now she returns to consult on a new financial crisis. The first time I met her she was 58, now she is 62. Four years ago, she consulted with me regarding what she should do with a rental property which was…
Exemption Credits: a. $108 – Single, Married filing separately, Head of Household. b. $216 – Married filing jointly. c. $333 – Dependent. d. $108 – Age 65 or older. e. $108 – Blind. Exemption Credits are phased out by $6 or $12 for each $1,250 or $2,500 that federal AGI exceeds certain amounts over $176,413….
IN April 2009, Robert Pedowitz, M.D., was hired by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to become chairperson of its Department of Orthopedic Surgery. In the first year of his chairmanship, Dr. Pedowitz reported to top UCLA officials his concerns regarding colleagues who were receiving money from medical-device makers in possible violation of the…
ARE you being harassed by your creditors day and night due to unpaid bills? If you are, you know that this is a pretty unpleasant experience. You may feel scared, angry or embarrassed about your situation. The prospect of debt relief through bankruptcy may sound appealing to you but you are not quite sure if…
Congratulations! You have successfully braved past the first quarter of 2015! By now, some of you might be looking for some ideas to supercharge your business. In this article, I will be discussing the emerging digital marketing trends of 2015 that can potentially help your business. Digital advertising is essential in today’s day and age, yet…
IT isn’t always about looking like a movie star or supermodel. It’s about feeling confident and comfortable with your healthy smile! Smiling’s amazing benefits You may not typically think about it this way, but your smile is powerful: • Smiles can make you healthier. Smiling immediately lowers your blood pressure, slows your heart, and boosts your immunity. Endorphins…
Obama fights back to lift injunction on amnesty Senior will discharge $85K credit cards CLIENT has been working as a registered nurse for 30 years, and is now 65 years old. Her pay scale is good. She grosses $10K a month, and nets after taxes and 401K deductions about $7,500. Ten years ago, her 25-year…
1. YOU are required to file a California tax return if your gross income exceeds: a. Single – $16,047. b. Head of household – $27,147. c. Married filing jointly – $32,097. Taxpayers with dependents or who are aged 65 or over have higher filing thresholds. 2. Taxpayers who do not itemize deductions for mortgage interest,…
When meal waivers don’t apply SOME employees work 12-hour shifts, such as nurses, therapists, technicians, or even caregivers and domestic employees. Because of the realities of their job, especially for those who work in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, they may find themselves working continuously without being provided their mandated breaks. Hourly employees are entitled…
IN this week’s article, I would like to address a bad habit that we all tend to have at times. In dealing with debt, it can mean the difference between failure and success. What am I referring to? I am referring to this nasty habit called “procrastination”. “Procrastination” is defined by the dictionary as “putting…
“I believe that it is my duty as a CEO to lead and inspire the workforce, to provide vision and direction, to guide and motivate my people so that Megaworld continues to maintain its competitive edge in the property market.” – Dr. Andrew L. Tan A powerful statement reinforcing the notion that growth in business evolves…
Client seeks discharge of $68k credit card debt CLIENT migrated to the United States when he was 16 years, which was 49 years ago. At 17, he enlisted with the armed forces. He became a corporal in the army. He was stationed in different American bases all over the world working as a mechanic maintaining…
1. YOU are required to file an income tax return if your 2014 gross income reaches: Elderly and blind taxpayers add $1,200 to $1,550. 2. Personal exemptions $3,950 Phaseouts for personal itemized deduction and personal exemption were reinstated in 2013. 3. Standard deductions: If your combined itemized deductions for interests, taxes, medical and contributions are…
(Part 2) LAST week, we discussed the case of a class of “Review Appraisers,” employed by Bank of America (BoA), who recently obtained approval of a settlement for $5.8 million. The employees sued BoA for alleged overtime violations, itemized wage statement violations, meal and rest period violations, waiting time penalties, and civil penalties against the…
FOR a lot of people, financial concerns can be their number one cause of stress. But worrying without acting doesn’t really solve anything. If you feel that your finances are out of whack, it’s time to take charge and to hold yourself accountable for the results. Here are two steps that may help you reduce…
MANY people, after completing orthodontic treatment, are fitted with a fixed retainer-—a thin wire that’s bonded to the back of teeth, designed to help keep teeth straight and aligned. Fixed retainers can be great! You never have to worry about losing it! However, fixed retainers can also make it more difficult to keep teeth and…
White House will hire 1,000 more employees to implement Obama’s immigration action The 3 seniors who need bankruptcy relief THIS must have been my pre valentine seniors’ week for bankruptcy relief. The first senior who comes to see me only owes $15,000 of credit card debt. She is a widow and 75 years old. She retired…
Premium Tax Credit for individuals and families IF YOU purchased health coverage from a state or the federal Marketplace and are eligible for the premium tax credit, file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, with your federal income tax return. If you previously chose to have advance payments of the premium tax credit paid directly to…
A CLASS of “Review Appraisers,” employed by Bank of America (BoA) through its subsidiary, Landsafe, recently obtained approval of a settlement for $5.8 million. The employees sued BoA for alleged overtime violations, itemaized wage statement violations, meal and rest period violations, waiting time penalties, and civil penalties against the employer. The employees, who primarily proofread…
