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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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BK motion for relief
BANKRUPTCY law creates a protective shield around the debtor and the bankruptcy estate upon filing of the bankruptcy case. This is known as the...
Dental care for teenagers
When a child becomes a teenager, the most cavity prone years are gone, but what lies ahead for our teenagers?Eliminating tooth decayTeenagers can do...
A wealth of friends
What a beautiful world we live in—made more meaningful by the people we meet who inspire us to be better persons because of the friendship they...
Introducing guide to a harmonious 2009
Feng shui and related areas of study are vast, complex, and fascinating topics. Though feng shui has been practiced for thousands of years, there are...
The way to all good things starts with health
WHEN we talk about feng shui, we focus mostly on our environment – both interior and exterior – and how it affects the many aspects of our...
Should employees be paid for work done ‘off the clock?’
Q: I WORK as a driver/courier for a service-oriented company. I am often asked by my supervisor to pick up packages an hour or two before my regular...
Phoenix of Love and Fortune
MANTRA charm of "snake becomes dragon" represents evolution and progress, showing positive changes becoming reality.Eagle takes flight means...
Self-healing through feng shui meditation
MEDITATION is like magic healing for the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of your being. Meditation allows you to touch that area of your soul...
REAL ESTATE SALES ARE UP! Fact or fallacy?
ABOUT six months ago, I had advise homebuyers to start their engines and start to look for opportunities. Now, if you have minimal down payment to...
Getting Things Done: A Redux
"If it’s going to be, it’s up to me." —Robert H. SchullerIf you want anything done, give it to a busy person. But perhaps, this is true only up...
Does hell exist?
Many people think that hell does not exist. They think that such a horrid place cannot exist because a loving God would not create such a terrible...
Take control of your health and look younger (Part 1 of 2)
THERE are at least 130 factors that contribute to a person’s well-being. Some of the factors are what you’re given and can’t be changed, and...
Gracious Healing by Lorna Tolentino
Screen acting goddess Lorna Tolentino has led a very inspirational life. In dealing with the challenges and pains in her life, she has been the...
Who Are You and Why Are You Here? The Zi Wei Dou Shu - Part 1
Chances are you have glimpsed at the horoscope in the newspaper or magazine you’ve been reading, curious to find out what the day or month holds...
Orange County Register owner files for bankruptcy relief
FREEDOM COMMUNICATIONS, owner of the Orange County Register, the largest daily newspaper in that county, as well as the owner of 32 other daily...
Use your refund wisely
So your 1040 is filed and you are now anxiously waiting for your refund. What do you plan on doing with it? Go on that longawaited cruise, get a new...
A taste of home in the US
I’m feeling a little sentimental after reading a piece on the July 8 issue of MDWK magazine about Sammy Lorenzana, a pioneer in the Filipino food...

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Balikbayan Magazine Issue 9 Vol. 1 November

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