Tips in handling finances

I have a friend who is currently in financial difficulty. Though I do not have spare to lend him, I helped him find people who have extra money. He then confided to me his financial state. I gave him my piece of advice and decided to blog it for anyone who may be in the same state:

1. Spend within your means. Money coming in should balance money coming out. Better if there is money left for savings or emergency fund.
2. If you do your grocery, go for the unbranded, not famous or house brands. Usually, they have same ingredients or quality as with branded items. You can find the cheaper brands in the lower or bottom shelves of the display area. Needless to say, compare prices.
3. Do not use credit card if you cannot fully pay it when it is due. Do not go into the habit of paying the minimum only, this will definitely bring your finances in deep trouble.
4. If you use credit card for big expenses, always opt for 0% interest. But make sure whenever billing comes, fully pay whatever is due. This means you have to allocate monthly budget to pay it without fail.
5. Always plan for big expenses, make sure there is money allocated to pay for it.
6. Plan and budget your finances with your spouse. It’s best that both of you know where your money goes.

The above may or may not apply or helpful to you but I would be happy to receive additional tips. J

The importance of purified water

Recently, a Singaporean friend shared with me about the effects of drinking tap water to people. He also told me about an incident in a block of a residential building in Singapore, most of its residents had diarrhea. They found out later that a sewage pipe was leaking and it has contaminated the building’s water tank.

And so I realized that the water, even if it is treated by the public water supplier, before it reaches my home will pass through a long line of pipes that may carry unwanted substances such as mentioned above and a lot of contaminants like lead, rust, dirt, asbestos, etc. This means that the water coming out of my taps are not 100% clean. In addition, while chlorine is used to treat the water, chlorine is harmful to our bodies. But why drinking water is chlorinated? As per my research, chlorination is necessary for two reasons. First, almost all sources of surface water contain microbiological organisms (bacteria & viruses) or contaminants, which have to be removed or killed in order to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever and cholera. Second, once the treated water leaves the treatment plant, it may travel through water mains and pipes sometimes at significant distances, before it reaches it’s destination. During this time, it is necessary to maintain a residual level of disinfectant in the water to ensure no possible regrowth of microorganisms.

But did you know that when drinking water is chlorinated, chlorination disinfection by-products (CDBPs) are formed called Trihalomethanes (THMs)? THMs are a group of four chemicals that are formed along with other disinfection by-products when chlorine or other disinfectants used to control microbial contaminants in drinking water react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water. The trihalomethanes are chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform. They are Cancer Group B carcinogens (shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals). Trichloromethane (chloroform) is by far the most common in most water systems. Dibromochloromethane is the most serious cancer risk, (0.6 ug/l to cause a 10-6 cancer risk increase) followed in order by Bromoform (4 ug/l), and Chloroform (6 ug/l). Current regulations limit the concentration of these 4 chemicals added together (total trihalomethane or TTHM levels) to 100 ug/l.

Yes peeps, THM may cause cancer and has also an affect on reproductive systems that cause a low chance of babies being born.

Further to my research, consumers wishing to reduce their exposure to CDBPs can use a filter containing activated carbon certified to the NSF Standard 53 for THM removal. If a filter device is used it should be properly maintained because such devices can become sources of bacterial contamination in water. Although blending and boiling water will remove volatile (meaning easily evaporated) CDBPs such as THMs, they do not eliminate or necessarily reduce the health risks of other CDBPs that may not evaporate easily. As such, blending and boiling of water are not recommended by Health Canada as methods for reducing chlorination disinfection by-products. Source: Environment & Conservation, Govt. of Newfoundland & Labrador

So, are you sure that the water at your home is 100% clean, free of contaminants especially THM? Do you think it’s important to have your own water purifier at home?

If you do, I highly recommend that you should have your own water purifier at home. But not just water purifier, it should pass an international water standard certified by NSF International Standard, specifically NSF Standard 53 mentioned above.

Peeps, my Singaporean friend recommends, Amway Water Treatment System in Singapore or eSpring Water Purifier in US & Canada (owned by the same company, Amway). My research tells me that:

• It is an in-home system that combines a patented carbon-block filter with ultraviolet light and an electronic monitoring system which measures volume and time to indicate when the filter and UV bulb require replacement
  
• It meets 3 internationally recognized water quality standards and achieved certifications by NSF International Standards 42, 53 and 55
  
• It has patented four-stage pressed carbon filter that removes over 140 water contaminants (more than any other carbon based system) including lead, mercury, asbestos, radon, dirt, etc - certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International
  
• It has patented Ultraviolet (UV) Bulb that destroys 99.9% waterborne bacteria and viruses as certified by NSF. Uses an energy saving technology - consumes 8 watt/hour of electricity only.

Its performance is extensively documented. All claims backed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NSF International.

The manufacturer of Amway Water Treatment System is Access Business Group. The Access Business Group, LLC is the company that develops, manufactures and distributes Amway Water Treatment System worldwide for the Alticor family of companies. You will be able to find Amway Water Treatment (E3411) listed in NSF website, www.nsf.org, by searching the manufacturer name "Access Business Group" or by just clicking on the following address which will link you directly to the site. http://www.nsf.org/certified/common/company.asp?companyname=access+business+group

My Singaporean friend supplied the following info. Both Amway Water Treatment System & eSpring Water Purifier:
- reduces potential carcinogens (substance or agent with the potential to produce or incite cancer) that can be found in drinking water
- is more convenient and cheaper than bottled water
- is convenient and easy to operate
- has a smart, sleek, space-saving design
- has convenient and easy replacements
- is less costly than bottled water, only about 2 cents per liter
- has been certified to reduce more health effect contaminants than any other carbon based system.
- effectively reduces chlorine
- effectively reduces lead in drinking water
- effectively reduces mercury in drinking water
- effectively reduces waterbourne parasites
- effectively reduces radon and radon decay products in drinking water
- does not remove beneficial minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and fluoride
- uses exclusive patented technology
- comes with a satisfaction guaranteed or your money back

For more information or order, you may contact WTScleanwater@gmail.com

Millions of Free eBooks by Project Gutenberg

Do you like to read books? I found a site that offers millions of free electronic books (eBook). I was amazed to find a Filipino author who was born in 1886 and the oldest Filipino book available written in Tagalog was published in 1593, whew! I was also surprised to find that other than Tagalog, there are also available books written in Iloko or Ilocano.

The other languages available are Chinese Dutch English Finnish French German Italian Portuguese Spanish Tagalog Afrikaans Aleut Bulgarian Catalan Czech Danish Esperanto Friulano Gamilaraay Gascon Greek Hebrew Hungarian Icelandic Iloko Interlingua Irish Iroquoian Japanese Khasi Korean Latin Lithuanian Mayan Languages Middle English Nahuatl Napoletano-Calabrese North American Indian Norwegian Old English Polish Romanian Russian Sanskrit Serbian Slovak Swedish Welsh Yiddish

Here's the link - Project Gutenberg

Free Tutorials on Six Sigma, BPO, BPM, CRM, PM, CMS, etc.

For all of you out there who are interested in learning about Six Sigma , here's a website which I found. This is free guys! If you have a good eye, you may also find on the website links for free tutorials on Business Process Management, Business Process Outsourcing, Customer Relationship Management, Project Management, Data Warehouse, Content Management System, Contract Management, etc.

Enjoy!

Attention UK mobile users: free international calls

How would you like free calls to any international destinations from your mobile? Yes peeps, it's free. There are 3 companies that I found in UK that offer free international calls on mobile by using free cross network minutes. Check out their websites to find out how:

Your Call World

Global Dial Free

Talk 4 Longer

Can anyone share with me if there are other countries that offer the same as above? :-)

Attention US residents: Telemarketers can now call you on your cellphone

On May 24, 2006 US cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS! These telemarketers will eat up your free minutes and end up costing you money in the long run. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.

This number is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number from Telemarketers for five (5) years.

You can do the same thing on the web at www.donotcall.gov. You can also file a complaint on this website.

Save up to 70% of your phone bill plus unlimited calling in USA & Canada

How much are you paying for your fixed/landline phone? Would you believe a VOIP or broadband phone can save you a lot of money on your phone bill? Many VOIP or broadband phone claim they have the best and cheapest service in town but take a look at Packet8. It is by far the cheapest yet very good quality in town.

What is Packet8? Packet8 is a broadband telephone and videophone service like no other.
Packet8 is an affordable and easy-to-use broadband telephone and videophone service. Designed with both residential and business customers in mind, Packet8 allows anyone with broadband (high-speed) Internet access to use their regular phone to make UNLIMITED calls to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada for as little as $19.99 per month. Packet8 subscribers with videophones can make video calls for as little as $19.99 per month. All Packet8 subscribers get world wide UNLIMITED calling to other Packet8 subscribers at no extra charge. Calls to non-Packet8 international numbers (outside the U.S. and Canada) are charged at a very low per minute rate.

What do you get? You get unlimited calling for one low monthly rate.

When you subscribe to a Packet8 plan using our online store, Packet8 by SGTel, you will be shipped a broadband phone service adapter (at no extra cost) or a standalone videophone (at a greatly discounted price) depending upon the plan. Along with the equipment, you will receive a 10-digit activation code. Packet8 will transfer your existing number or give you a new telephone number from the area code of your choice. Packet8 offers several residential and business plans that are feature rich and include unlimited calling options. All plans include more cool features than are available from your old telephone company. This authorized online retailer, Packet8 by SGTel offers free activation, free adapter and free first month service! How does it work? Packet8 routes your calls over the Internet. By taking advantage of a technology called VoIP (voice over internet protocol), high-speed Internet connections and 8x8's expertise in designing videophones, Packet8 is the complete voice and video communication service. Packet8 sends all calls to and from you through the broadband phone service adapter or the videophone which then route the calls over the Internet, instead of using the traditional public telephone network. There are no extra numbers to dial, no special instructions and no talking through your computer. Just pick up your phone, hear a dial tone and dial any phone number. Incoming calls ring your phone the same as any traditional phone. To sum it up: with Packet8 you make and receive calls as you always have, but we route your calls more efficiently to save you money. Your phone call will have the same quality and your calling experience will be identical to what you have always had. Only your phone bill for local and long distance calling will be a lot less. And there's NO EXTRA CHARGES for features like voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, or long-distance calls to anywhere in the U.S., Canada or to other Packet8 subscribers worldwide. What do you need? You need a high-speed Internet access. To start enjoying Packet8 broadband phone service, you need: A broadband Internet connection such as cable or DSL A home router that allows you to share your Internet connection with multiple computers or Internet devices. (Many home routers cost as little as $30.00 and take just minutes to set up. But no worries about setting up because Packet8 offers phone with built-in router) A Packet8 plan and some hardware (either a broadband phone service adapter or a VideoPhone, included with Packet8 offer.) What are you waiting for? Try it and save on your phone bill. Visit an authorized online retailer now! Click here --> Packet8 by SGTEl

Starhub Singapore

Starhub, www.starhub.com.sg, has a good promotion for people in Singapore who use all their products: cable, mobile and internet. If you are a subscriber of these 3 services, you are in for a discount on all services plus you can get a free digital fixed line (free unlimited local outgoing and incoming calls) without paying monthly due. There's a catch though, in order to avail discounts, you have to sign up as a hub member, sign up at http://www.starhub.com.sg/hubvillage.