Joe Cocker
Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world where few hearts survive
All I know is the way I feel
When its real I leep it alive
The road is long there are mountains in the way
Chorus
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles fly on a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world below
Where the clear winds blow
Some hang on to used to be
Live there life looking behind
All we have is here and now
All our lives out there to find
The road is long and there are mountains in my way
But we climb the stairs everyday
Chorus
Time goes by no time to cry
Just you and I alone
Chorus
Something - Joe Cocker
There's something in the way she moves
That attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she moves me
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe in how
There's something in the way she smiles
And all I have to do is think of her
Something in the way she smiles for me
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe in how
Your asking me will my love grow
I don't know, no I don't know
Just stick around and let it show
I don't know, oh I don't know
There's something in the way she moves
That attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she moves me
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe in how
Your asking me will my love grow
I don't know, no I don't know
Just stick around and let it show
I don't know, oh I don't know
There's something in the way she smiles
And all I have to do is think of her
Something in the way she smiles for me
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe in how
Monday, January 30, 2006
Igalang ang barya
by Susan Fernandez
Sa aming komunidad, mahalagang anyo ng transportasyon ang tricycle. Madaling puntahan ang mga lugar na importante sa pang-araw-araw na buhay. Palengke, eskwelahan, simbahan, parlor, bangko, kainan, grocery. Bahagi na nga ng aming buhay ang pagsakay sa tricycle.
Kaya naman naging ugali ko na kapag dumarami ang mga barya kong sentimo, iniipon ko ito. Sadya kong kinukumpuni ang mga singko at sampung sentimo at hinahanda para pambayad ng eksaktong pamasahe. Naisip ko ring ikatutuwa ito ng mga drayber ng tricycle dahil may handa silang panukli.
Minsan, sumakay ako ng tricycle patungong bangko. Nang ako'y pababa, inaabot ko ang puro baryang singko at diyes sentimong nagkakahalaga ng labindalawang piso. Laking gulat ko nang tumanggi ang drayber sa bayad ko. Di na raw nila tinatanggap iyon. Sabi ko, "Bakit? Hindi ba ito pera? Di ba dito galing ang piso?"
Sa puntong iyon, naisip kong pahintayin siya at papasok muna ako ng bangko para ikonsulta sa manager kung paso na nga ba ang mga barya. Lumabas uli ako kasama ang manager at giniit kong legal na pambayad ang barya ayon sa bangko. Pero galit na umarangkada paalis ang drayber at sumigaw sa aming direksyon ng, "Di bale na lang!"
Nang ako'y pauwi, muli akong sumakay ng tricycle. Binayad ko ang parehong halaga ng mga barya.
Tinanggap naman. Ilang minuto pagkapasok ko sa bahay, lumabas uli ako. Laking gulat ko nang makita kong nakakalat sa kalsada ang baryang binayad ko dahil tinapon ng drayber. Napailing na lang ako sabay nadismaya sa kawalan ng respeto ng mga drayber sa barya.
Kung tutuusin, pati sa mga grocery, may masasamang gawi ang ilang kahera. Dahil kapos sa baryang panukli, kendi na lang ang ibibigay bilang kapalit. O kaya magpapaumanhin na kulang ng konting barya ang sukli. Dahil abala pa sa customer ang maghintay ng eksaktong sukli, hinahayaan na lang. Tutal, sa isip nila, parang wala ring mabibili ang singko at diyes ngayon.
Pero mali ang ganitong pananaw. Ginigiit ngayon ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na dapat irespeto ang bawat sentimo dahil dito nagmumula ang piso at legal na legal pa rin para sa mga transaksyon. Mahigpit ding paalala ng DTI na huwag na huwag tayong tumanggap ng kendi bilang katumbas ng sukling barya.
Ipinaalala ring lahat ng mamimili ay may karapatang tumanggap ng tamang sukli. At may karapatan tayong tanggihan ang kendi bilang sukli. Wala ring karapatan ang kahit anong establisimyento na tanggihan ang ating barya. Legal na gamitin ang barya sa mga transaksyon sa pagbayad ng bilihin o sa transportasyon. Nasa batas ang lahat ng karapatang ito.
Ayon sa DTI, ang pagtanggap ng kendi bilang sukli ay katumbas ng akto ng pagbili. Nguni't ang akto ay nasa konteksto ng panlilinlang. Napipilitan ang customer na 'bilhin' ang kendi dahil sa pekeng dahilan na kulang ng baryang panukli. Tuloy, nagiging legal ang aktong mapanlinlang. Kaya may lusot ang establisimyento dahil may pagpapayag mula sa customer. Sinisikap ng DTI na hikayatin ang mga tindahan laban sa gawaing ito.
Minsan ko na ring inireklamo ang masamang gawing ito ng grocery malapit sa amin. Sa dalas ng punta ko rito at dalas ng pagbigay nila ng kulang na panukli, naisip kong luging-lugi na ako sa laki ng halagang ipinagkakait sa akin bilang sukli. At kung ginagawa nila ito sa marami pang customer, e di libu-libo na ang kita ng grocery! Umepekto ang aking reklamo dahil sa sunod kong punta, nabalitaan kong tiniyak nilang may sapat na barya sa lahat ng kahera.
Dahil sa masasamang gawi na ito, naglunsad ng kampanya ang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas na tinaguriang 'Ang Barya Mahalaga'. Ito'y paghikayat sa mga mamimili na tumulong sa malawakang sirkulasyon ng mga barya at sa pagtiyak na sinusunod ang mga batas na nagbibigay proteksyon at gumagalang sa mga karapatan ng mamimili. Dapat lang ipursigi ang kampanyang ito!
Sa aming komunidad, mahalagang anyo ng transportasyon ang tricycle. Madaling puntahan ang mga lugar na importante sa pang-araw-araw na buhay. Palengke, eskwelahan, simbahan, parlor, bangko, kainan, grocery. Bahagi na nga ng aming buhay ang pagsakay sa tricycle.
Kaya naman naging ugali ko na kapag dumarami ang mga barya kong sentimo, iniipon ko ito. Sadya kong kinukumpuni ang mga singko at sampung sentimo at hinahanda para pambayad ng eksaktong pamasahe. Naisip ko ring ikatutuwa ito ng mga drayber ng tricycle dahil may handa silang panukli.
Minsan, sumakay ako ng tricycle patungong bangko. Nang ako'y pababa, inaabot ko ang puro baryang singko at diyes sentimong nagkakahalaga ng labindalawang piso. Laking gulat ko nang tumanggi ang drayber sa bayad ko. Di na raw nila tinatanggap iyon. Sabi ko, "Bakit? Hindi ba ito pera? Di ba dito galing ang piso?"
Sa puntong iyon, naisip kong pahintayin siya at papasok muna ako ng bangko para ikonsulta sa manager kung paso na nga ba ang mga barya. Lumabas uli ako kasama ang manager at giniit kong legal na pambayad ang barya ayon sa bangko. Pero galit na umarangkada paalis ang drayber at sumigaw sa aming direksyon ng, "Di bale na lang!"
Nang ako'y pauwi, muli akong sumakay ng tricycle. Binayad ko ang parehong halaga ng mga barya.
Tinanggap naman. Ilang minuto pagkapasok ko sa bahay, lumabas uli ako. Laking gulat ko nang makita kong nakakalat sa kalsada ang baryang binayad ko dahil tinapon ng drayber. Napailing na lang ako sabay nadismaya sa kawalan ng respeto ng mga drayber sa barya.
Kung tutuusin, pati sa mga grocery, may masasamang gawi ang ilang kahera. Dahil kapos sa baryang panukli, kendi na lang ang ibibigay bilang kapalit. O kaya magpapaumanhin na kulang ng konting barya ang sukli. Dahil abala pa sa customer ang maghintay ng eksaktong sukli, hinahayaan na lang. Tutal, sa isip nila, parang wala ring mabibili ang singko at diyes ngayon.
Pero mali ang ganitong pananaw. Ginigiit ngayon ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na dapat irespeto ang bawat sentimo dahil dito nagmumula ang piso at legal na legal pa rin para sa mga transaksyon. Mahigpit ding paalala ng DTI na huwag na huwag tayong tumanggap ng kendi bilang katumbas ng sukling barya.
Ipinaalala ring lahat ng mamimili ay may karapatang tumanggap ng tamang sukli. At may karapatan tayong tanggihan ang kendi bilang sukli. Wala ring karapatan ang kahit anong establisimyento na tanggihan ang ating barya. Legal na gamitin ang barya sa mga transaksyon sa pagbayad ng bilihin o sa transportasyon. Nasa batas ang lahat ng karapatang ito.
Ayon sa DTI, ang pagtanggap ng kendi bilang sukli ay katumbas ng akto ng pagbili. Nguni't ang akto ay nasa konteksto ng panlilinlang. Napipilitan ang customer na 'bilhin' ang kendi dahil sa pekeng dahilan na kulang ng baryang panukli. Tuloy, nagiging legal ang aktong mapanlinlang. Kaya may lusot ang establisimyento dahil may pagpapayag mula sa customer. Sinisikap ng DTI na hikayatin ang mga tindahan laban sa gawaing ito.
Minsan ko na ring inireklamo ang masamang gawing ito ng grocery malapit sa amin. Sa dalas ng punta ko rito at dalas ng pagbigay nila ng kulang na panukli, naisip kong luging-lugi na ako sa laki ng halagang ipinagkakait sa akin bilang sukli. At kung ginagawa nila ito sa marami pang customer, e di libu-libo na ang kita ng grocery! Umepekto ang aking reklamo dahil sa sunod kong punta, nabalitaan kong tiniyak nilang may sapat na barya sa lahat ng kahera.
Dahil sa masasamang gawi na ito, naglunsad ng kampanya ang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas na tinaguriang 'Ang Barya Mahalaga'. Ito'y paghikayat sa mga mamimili na tumulong sa malawakang sirkulasyon ng mga barya at sa pagtiyak na sinusunod ang mga batas na nagbibigay proteksyon at gumagalang sa mga karapatan ng mamimili. Dapat lang ipursigi ang kampanyang ito!
Monday, January 23, 2006
"Hindi kita iiwan, ni pababayaan man..."
Ni Candy Cusio
Isang gabi, napanaginipan kong ako'y naglalakad sa dalampasigan kasama ang Panginoon. Tumambad sa aking paningin mula sa kadiliman ng langit ang mga pangyayaring naganap sa buhay ko. Sa bawat eksena, napansin ko ang dalawang pares ng mga bakas ng paa sa buhanginan, isa ay pagmamay-ari ko at ang isa naman ay sa Panginoon. Masaya kaming nag-uusap at ang presensya Niya ay sadyang nakakapagpaligaya sa akin.
Hanggang sa dumating ang mga unos sa buhay ko. Muli kong tiningnan ang mga bakas. Namangha ako nang mapansin kong pagdaan ko sa bawat pagsubok ay iisang pares na lamang ng bakas ang naroon. Gumulo ito sa aking isipan kaya't ako'y nagtanong: "Panginoon, sinabi mo sa akin na kapag ako'y sumunod sa Iyo, makakasama kita sa bawat oras ng buhay ko. Bakit noong ako ay dumaranas ng kapaitan ay isang pares na lamang ng bakas ang nasilayan ko? Hindi ko maintindihan. Bakit noong kailangan kita ay saka Mo pa ako iniwan?"
Kanyang ibinulong sa akin nang buong hinahon: "Mahal kong anak, iniibig Kita. Ni minsan ay hindi kita iniwanan, at hinding-hindi sa oras ng iyong pagsubok at problema. Noong mga sandaling iisang pares na lamang ng mga bakas ang nakikita mo, Ako ang nakatapak sa buhanginan. Binuhat Kita nang napapagod ka na."
Pamilyar ang istorya, hindi ba? Ito ang "Footprints in the Sand", isang popular na istoryang naglalarawan ng pagyakap sa atin ng Diyos sa gitna ng problema. Sumisimbolo ito sa Kanyang walang hanggang pag-ibig na ating maaasahan sa gitna ng pagsubok, panganib at kabiguan.
Ngunit naitanong n'yo na ba sa inyong sarili kung bakit ba tayo binibigyan ng Panginoon ng mga pagsubok sa ating buhay? Hindi ba pwedeng wala na lang pagsubok, lagi na lang masaya at walang problema ang buhay? Kaibigan, kadalasan ang mga kabiguan, kagipitan at pagsubok ang ginagamit ng ating Panginoon upang Siya ay ating hanapin. Alam ng ating Panginoon ang puso nating mga tao sapagkat Siya ang may gawa sa atin. Alam Niya na kapag parating masaya at masagana ang ating buhay, maaari natin Siyang makalimutan at umasa tayo sa ating mga sariling galing at hindi sa Kanya. Sa Deuteronomio 8:10-14 ay sinasabi:
"Huwag ninyong kalilimutan si Yahweh. Sundin ninyo ang kanyang mga utos. Kung kayo'y namumuhay na nang sagana, nakatira na sa magarang tahanan, at marami nang alagang hayop, at marami nang natipong pilak at ginto, huwag kayong magmataas. Huwag nga ninyong kalilimutan si Yahweh na nagpalaya sa inyo mula sa Ehipto."
Ang mga pagsubok ang tanging paraan ng Diyos upang ipaalala Niya ang Kanyang sarili sa atin at maipamalas Niya ang Kanyang kapangyarihan, pag-ibig at higit sa lahat ang katotohanan ng Kanyang mga pangako.
Ikaw ba ay dumaranas ng pagsubok ngayon sa iyong buhay? Huwag kang panghinaan ng loob, kaibigan! Hanapin mo ang Panginoon! Panghawakan mo ang Kanyang mga pangako sa Bibliya. Ngayon Niya maipapamalas sa iyo ang Kanyang kapangyarihan, pag-ibig at ang katotohanan ng Kanyang mga pangako. Tanungin mo Siya kung ano ang nais Niyang ituro sa iyo, sa pagsubok na pinagdaraanan mo ngayon. Ang ating Diyos ay laging may layunin. Hindi Niya tayo padadaanin sa mga pagsubok upang pahirapan lamang tayo. Mabuti ang Panginoon!
Kaya't magtiwala ka lang sa Kanya. Sa 1 Pedro 2:6 ay ito ang sinabi: "...Hindi mabibigo ang sinumang nananalig sa Kanya." Sa Awit 22:5-6, "Noong sila ay tumawag, ang panganib ay nawala. Lubos silang nagtiwala at 'di naman napahiya." Kaibigan, kapag ikaw ay nagtiwala sa ating Panginoon, kailanma'y hindi ka mabibigo at mapapahiya. Ipinangako Niya iyan. Kung may kilala kang sumira ng pangako niya sa iyo, ang Diyos kailanma'y hindi. Hinding-hindi Siya magkukulang.
Hindi ko alam kung anong hirap ang iyong pinagdaraanan ngayon, ngunit nakakasiguro ako na hindi ka Niya iiwan ni pababayaan man (Hebreo13:5) dahil mahal ka Niya!
Panalangin: Panginoon, ako ay nananalig sa Inyo. Sa aking pagsubok na dinaranas ngayon, ituro N'yo po kung ano ang dapat kong matutunan. Salamat sa Inyong pangako na kailanma'y hindi Mo ako iiwan, ni pababayaan man. Naniniwala akong tutugon Kayo sa aking mga panalangin dahil kahit kailan ay hinding-hindi Kayo magkukulang. Sa kabila ng aking pagsubok, kayo ay aking pinasasalamatan at niluluwalhati. Gawin niyo pong mas malalim at mas matibay ang aking pananalig sa inyo. Amen.
Mga talata sa Bibliya para sa pagsubok:
1 Pedro 1:7, Hebreo 13:5, Roma 8:28, Roma 8:35-39, Mateo 19:26, Josue 21:45; Awit 9:9-10, Awit 50:15
Isang gabi, napanaginipan kong ako'y naglalakad sa dalampasigan kasama ang Panginoon. Tumambad sa aking paningin mula sa kadiliman ng langit ang mga pangyayaring naganap sa buhay ko. Sa bawat eksena, napansin ko ang dalawang pares ng mga bakas ng paa sa buhanginan, isa ay pagmamay-ari ko at ang isa naman ay sa Panginoon. Masaya kaming nag-uusap at ang presensya Niya ay sadyang nakakapagpaligaya sa akin.
Hanggang sa dumating ang mga unos sa buhay ko. Muli kong tiningnan ang mga bakas. Namangha ako nang mapansin kong pagdaan ko sa bawat pagsubok ay iisang pares na lamang ng bakas ang naroon. Gumulo ito sa aking isipan kaya't ako'y nagtanong: "Panginoon, sinabi mo sa akin na kapag ako'y sumunod sa Iyo, makakasama kita sa bawat oras ng buhay ko. Bakit noong ako ay dumaranas ng kapaitan ay isang pares na lamang ng bakas ang nasilayan ko? Hindi ko maintindihan. Bakit noong kailangan kita ay saka Mo pa ako iniwan?"
Kanyang ibinulong sa akin nang buong hinahon: "Mahal kong anak, iniibig Kita. Ni minsan ay hindi kita iniwanan, at hinding-hindi sa oras ng iyong pagsubok at problema. Noong mga sandaling iisang pares na lamang ng mga bakas ang nakikita mo, Ako ang nakatapak sa buhanginan. Binuhat Kita nang napapagod ka na."
Pamilyar ang istorya, hindi ba? Ito ang "Footprints in the Sand", isang popular na istoryang naglalarawan ng pagyakap sa atin ng Diyos sa gitna ng problema. Sumisimbolo ito sa Kanyang walang hanggang pag-ibig na ating maaasahan sa gitna ng pagsubok, panganib at kabiguan.
Ngunit naitanong n'yo na ba sa inyong sarili kung bakit ba tayo binibigyan ng Panginoon ng mga pagsubok sa ating buhay? Hindi ba pwedeng wala na lang pagsubok, lagi na lang masaya at walang problema ang buhay? Kaibigan, kadalasan ang mga kabiguan, kagipitan at pagsubok ang ginagamit ng ating Panginoon upang Siya ay ating hanapin. Alam ng ating Panginoon ang puso nating mga tao sapagkat Siya ang may gawa sa atin. Alam Niya na kapag parating masaya at masagana ang ating buhay, maaari natin Siyang makalimutan at umasa tayo sa ating mga sariling galing at hindi sa Kanya. Sa Deuteronomio 8:10-14 ay sinasabi:
"Huwag ninyong kalilimutan si Yahweh. Sundin ninyo ang kanyang mga utos. Kung kayo'y namumuhay na nang sagana, nakatira na sa magarang tahanan, at marami nang alagang hayop, at marami nang natipong pilak at ginto, huwag kayong magmataas. Huwag nga ninyong kalilimutan si Yahweh na nagpalaya sa inyo mula sa Ehipto."
Ang mga pagsubok ang tanging paraan ng Diyos upang ipaalala Niya ang Kanyang sarili sa atin at maipamalas Niya ang Kanyang kapangyarihan, pag-ibig at higit sa lahat ang katotohanan ng Kanyang mga pangako.
Ikaw ba ay dumaranas ng pagsubok ngayon sa iyong buhay? Huwag kang panghinaan ng loob, kaibigan! Hanapin mo ang Panginoon! Panghawakan mo ang Kanyang mga pangako sa Bibliya. Ngayon Niya maipapamalas sa iyo ang Kanyang kapangyarihan, pag-ibig at ang katotohanan ng Kanyang mga pangako. Tanungin mo Siya kung ano ang nais Niyang ituro sa iyo, sa pagsubok na pinagdaraanan mo ngayon. Ang ating Diyos ay laging may layunin. Hindi Niya tayo padadaanin sa mga pagsubok upang pahirapan lamang tayo. Mabuti ang Panginoon!
Kaya't magtiwala ka lang sa Kanya. Sa 1 Pedro 2:6 ay ito ang sinabi: "...Hindi mabibigo ang sinumang nananalig sa Kanya." Sa Awit 22:5-6, "Noong sila ay tumawag, ang panganib ay nawala. Lubos silang nagtiwala at 'di naman napahiya." Kaibigan, kapag ikaw ay nagtiwala sa ating Panginoon, kailanma'y hindi ka mabibigo at mapapahiya. Ipinangako Niya iyan. Kung may kilala kang sumira ng pangako niya sa iyo, ang Diyos kailanma'y hindi. Hinding-hindi Siya magkukulang.
Hindi ko alam kung anong hirap ang iyong pinagdaraanan ngayon, ngunit nakakasiguro ako na hindi ka Niya iiwan ni pababayaan man (Hebreo13:5) dahil mahal ka Niya!
Panalangin: Panginoon, ako ay nananalig sa Inyo. Sa aking pagsubok na dinaranas ngayon, ituro N'yo po kung ano ang dapat kong matutunan. Salamat sa Inyong pangako na kailanma'y hindi Mo ako iiwan, ni pababayaan man. Naniniwala akong tutugon Kayo sa aking mga panalangin dahil kahit kailan ay hinding-hindi Kayo magkukulang. Sa kabila ng aking pagsubok, kayo ay aking pinasasalamatan at niluluwalhati. Gawin niyo pong mas malalim at mas matibay ang aking pananalig sa inyo. Amen.
Mga talata sa Bibliya para sa pagsubok:
1 Pedro 1:7, Hebreo 13:5, Roma 8:28, Roma 8:35-39, Mateo 19:26, Josue 21:45; Awit 9:9-10, Awit 50:15
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Credit Card Glossary:
A
Top
Affinity Credit Card:
A credit card that links up with a particular organisation, charity or cause. The cardholder receives benefits such as discounts or promotional rewards for specific transaction activities .
Age Requirement:
To apply for a credit facility you must be at least 18 years old.
Annual Fee:
Some credit card issuers charge an annual fee; it is the yearly cost you pay for having the card.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR):
The annual percentage rate is a measure of the cost of credit expressed as a yearly interest rate.
Application:
A form used to apply for credit.
Asset:
Cash or anything you own that can be turned into cash. This includes property, goods, savings or investments.
ATM:
Automated Teller Machine.
Available Credit:
Available credit is your credit limit minus the total of your current balance and any transactions you have made that have not been applied to your account. It is the unused portion of your credit line.
Average Daily Balance:
The average daily balance is a common way credit card issuers and other lenders calculate the amount upon which the finance charges will be calculated. The credit card company finds the balance each day of the billing period, adds the daily balances together and divides by the number of days in the period. The calculation includes new purchases and payments. You should refer to the conditions of use of your credit facility for specific information and details regarding the calculation of the Average Daily Balance.
B
Top
Bad Credit:
A term used to describe a poor credit rating. Common practices which can damage your credit rating include late or missed payments, exceeding the credit limit on cards, defaulting on loans or declaring bankruptcy. ‘Bad Credit’ can result in the denial of future credit or having to pay a higher interest rate.
Balance Calculation Method:
Balance Calculation Method is the method used by a lender to calculate the balance owed and the interest due each month.
Balance Transfer:
Transferring balances from one credit card to another, usually to take advantage of a lower interest rate. Transfers are limited to the available credit on the receiving card.
Balance/Amount Owed:
The total amount you owe the lender including any unpaid balance from last month, new purchases, cash advances, and any other charges such as an annual fee, late fees or finance charges. The "Amount I Owe" should not be confused with the minimum amount due (the minimum payment required each month).
Bankruptcy:
Bankruptcy is a legal declaration of your inability to repay your debts. Bankruptcy should be viewed as a last resort. It will tarnish your credit rating and will remain on your credit report for up to seven years, severely impacting your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Billing Cycle:
The number of days between your last statement date and your next statement date.
Billing Statement:
A monthly bill from your lender which describes and summarises the activity on your account including the outstanding balance, purchases, payments, credits, finance charges and other transactions for the month. In some circumstances, these may be sent less frequently.
Borrower:
The borrower is the person who signs and agrees to the terms of credit, and who is legally responsible for repaying the loan.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is your monthly income less expenses.
Budget:
The financial record you use to keep track of the money you earn, how much you spend and what you spend it on. Your budget also includes savings and how much you pay to your lenders.
C
Top
Cash Advance Fee:
A one-time fee for cash advances in addition to normal finance charges. This fee may be a percentage of the advance amount, a flat fee or a combination of the two
Cash Advance:
A cash withdrawal using your credit card at an automated teller machine or bank teller. This cash is an instant loan from your credit card account. The credit card issuer will apply finance charges from the day you take the advance until the day you pay it off. A transaction fee may also be charged based on the amount of your withdrawal. Cash Advances may also include ‘cash like’ purchases such as travelers cheques.
Cash Rate:
The Cash Rate is the interest rate that major banks charge to many of their best corporate borrowers. Each bank sets it own Cash Rate, though because the rate is so competitive, most of the time the rate is similar amongst all banks.
Charge Card:
A card that requires full payment of the balance upon receipt of the monthly statement. If payment is made on time, there are no finance charges.
Collateral:
An asset – also known as ‘security’, pledged to a lender to reduce the risk of a loan. Collateral usually refers to real estate, motor vehicles, caravans or cash like deposits. Collateral is not required for unsecured credit facilities.
Collection:
The business area within a credit provider that is set up to call and remind customers that their accounts are past due and the referral of a past due account to a specialist in collecting loans or accounts receivable.
Consolidation Loan:
If you owe money to several credit providers, you can combine your payments and balances into a single account with one credit provider. This can be done in several ways. For example, you can transfer several high interest credit card balances onto one card with a lower rate. Or, if you own a home, you can consolidate your debt into a low-interest home equity loan.
Consumer Credit / Credit Counselling Services:
Non-profit organisations with professional financial counselors who provide help to people during financial crises by negotiating with their credit providers to accept reduced payments. This assistance is available free or at a very low cost.
Credit Bureau File:
A credit bureau file is a record of all of the information that credit bureaus have collected about the way you've managed your finances over the last five to seven years. It is the official record of the names of companies you have applied for credit with, those that have lent you money and whether you have missed any payments. The information on your report may become a factor contributing to a decision whether you qualify or not for credit cards, mortgages, loans or connection to utilities like the telephone.
Credit Bureau:
A credit bureau is a company that maintains credit files. Potential creditors generally check your credit bureau file when you apply for a loan, credit card or even to get the phone connected. The credit bureau also records cases of default in your obligations to lenders or credit providers. If you are denied credit, the creditor must tell you where they got the credit information.
Credit card contract:
The credit issuer’s written statement of terms and conditions relating to your credit card account. The Credit Card Contract is required by law. The Contract states many things including how interest is calculated, how you can pay off your card balance and your rights in any billing disputes.
Credit Card Debt:
The total unpaid balances on all of your credit cards (not to be confused with the minimum amount you owe each month).
Credit Criteria:
Factors used by credit providers to rate the credit worthiness or ability to repay debt. They may include the following: income, amount of personal debt carried, number of accounts from other credit sources and credit history.
Credit History:
Your credit history is a record of the way you manage your debt. It is kept by credit bureaus in the form of a credit bureau file. Banks and credit card issuers tell the credit bureau details of all applications for credit and if you have defaulted on any obligations. When you apply for new credit or a loan, the credit provider will check your credit history before granting any credit. Information such as missed or late payments will be on your credit report for up to five years and bankruptcy filings can remain there for as long as seven years.
Credit Limit:
The maximum balance you can carry on your credit card or line of credit account.
Credit Management:
The way you handle the money you borrow from banks or credit providers. For example, you should try to pay more than the minimum due each month and make sure payments are received by the due date.
Credit:
An amount of money that a lender provides to you. For credit cards and lines of credit, you can charge/spend any amount from your credit limit to make purchases or take cash advances. As long as you pay the minimum amount due each month by the due date, you can continue to use your remaining available credit. For fixed loans, the credit is the amount lent upon opening of the account.
Credit-worthy:
You are judged to be qualified to have credit provided to you.
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Daily Interest Rate:
The interest rate factor used to calculate the interest charges on a daily basis. The factor is computed by dividing the yearly rate by 365 days.
Debit Card:
When you make a purchase with a debit card, your money is deducted directly from your financial institutions account. You can spend only the amount of money you have in your account when you use your debit card.
Debt Ratio:
Debt ratio is a way of expressing how much of what you earn is committed to paying your debt each month.
Debt:
Money you owe to banks or credit providers. More specifically, it is the amount of money that you have borrowed and not paid back.
Default:
Failure to repay a loan according to the agreed upon terms.
Deferred Payment:
Payments put off to a future date or extended over a period of time. Interest will usually still accumulate during deferment.
Dispute:
If you think that an item shown on your statement is wrong, you must contact the credit card issuer immediately. In some cases the issuer may be able to correct the error immediately however usually you will be required to lodge a dispute claim in writing. You must not delay this process as the card issuer’s ability to get a refund of the charge/s and/or credit your account can have set time limits.
Due Date:
The day a payment is due to a credit provider. After that date, a late fee can be charged, the payment can be recorded as late, and the account can be considered in default. If you are unable to make payment close to the due date, you should contact the credit provider and let them know.
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Expense Ratio:
Expense ratio usually gives a clear picture of your overall financial well-being. To calculate your ratio, first add up all your monthly income including take-home pay (after taxes), Centrelink benefits and maintenance. Then add up all your monthly payments for interest bearing loans and accounts, such as mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and car loans. If you rent your home, include that amount, but do not include utilities and telephone charges because they can vary on a monthly basis. Finally, divide your monthly payments by your income. Multiply the result by 100 and that number is your expense ratio percentage.
A low ratio is under 20%, which means that you are in good financial health and are doing a good job of managing your money.
A moderate ratio is between 21% and 40%. This means that you should look carefully at your monthly payments and start decreasing your overall level of debt, including credit cards.
A high debt burden is over 40%. You should immediately stop accumulating debt and start looking for ways to decrease your debt or increase your income.
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Finance Charges:
Finance charges are the cost of consumer credit expressed as a dollar amount. They include any charges, such as interest and fees, paid by the consumer to the credit provider for obtaining a loan.
Finance Company:
A finance company is a business that makes consumer loans, often to consumers who cannot qualify for credit at a credit union or bank. Typically the interest rates charged by a finance company are higher than those charged by other credit providers.
Financial Health (also referred to as financial well-being):
This is a description of your overall financial situation. To take a closer look at your financial health, you consider the amount of money you make each month, if you own a home or other valuables, any investments you may have, and the amount of debt you carry. For example, if you own a home, have a small mortgage, and have very little credit card debt, you are in good financial health.
Fixed Expenses:
Fixed expenses are those that you have to pay every month. These are expenses that you really can't change like your mortgage, rent payment or car payment.
Forbearance:
Forbearance is a word used to describe the situation in which a credit provider will postpone payments, say for six months to one year, due to hardship. Interest continually accrues during the period of forbearance.
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Guarantee:
An agreement that is made with a credit provider that makes the Guarantor also legally responsible for the payments, penalties and implications of the principal borrower in a loan.
Guarantor:
A guarantor is a person who signs a loan or credit card, pledging to also be legally responsible for repaying the loan or debt in the event the borrower is unable.
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Household Income:
Income from all sources including wages, commissions, bonuses, child support, Social Security/pension benefits, unemployment compensation or disability, dividends and interest.
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Instalment Loan/Personal Loan:
A loan that you promise to pay back by paying the same amount of money on a regular basis, usually monthly, for a specific amount of time. For example, you might pay back an instalment loan by paying $300 a month for five years. Personal and car loans are usually installment loans.
Interest Rate:
The rate that a bank or credit provider charges for the money it lends to you.
Interest-free Period:
Some credit cards give the cardholder the option to make transactions on their account without being charged any interest. If your card has an ‘interest free day’ clause (check your pre contractual statement or your conditions of use) then you will qualify for interest free use so long as you pay the entire closing balance of each monthly statement before the due date shown on the statement. If you pay less than the full closing balance as shown on the statement you will incur interest charges in accord with the conditions of use. If you short pay one time, you usually need to pay the full balance for two consecutive months before your account will be interest free again.
If you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, you do not have an interest-free period even if your conditions of use say your account has interest free days options. You are charged interest immediately when you make a purchase. For example, if you have a balance of $500 and make a payment of $50 on June 1st, and buy an item for $50 on June 2nd, you will immediately be charged interest on that $50 purchase. This is because you have an outstanding balance of approximately $450 between June 2nd and your next statement.
Importantly, if your credit card is not an interest free day type account, even if you pay the statement balance in full each month, you will still be charged interest.
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Late Payment Fee:
A fee charged for failing to submit the minimum monthly payment by its due date. Refer to your conditions of use for details.
Late Payment:
All finance agreements have a date by which payments are due. If you miss the due date, the account is considered overdue and you may be charged a late fee. Late payments may be reflected on your credit report. If you have paid late numerous times, it may be difficult to get future credit.
Legal Judgment:
A court verdict that requires a person to do something, such as pay a debt.
Liability:
Liability is the responsibility for a loan or credit account. When applying for a credit card, for example, the card holder agrees to be liable for any charges to his or her account, including purchases, fees and finance charges. Your liability is described in the Credit Card contract you receive from the issuer.
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Minimum Amount Due/Minimum Payment:
The smallest amount you can pay by the due date and still meet the terms of your Credit Contract.
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Outstanding Balance:
The total amount that you owe on a credit card or other debt.
Over -Limit Fee:
A charge imposed for exceeding your assigned credit limit.
Over the Credit Limit:
When the amount you owe is more than the limit on your credit card. Any combination of purchases, cash advances, fees or finance charges may cause you to exceed your credit limit. For example, you will be over the credit limit if you spend $2,000 when you have $1,000 of your credit limit left. If you go over your credit limit, you may be charged an extra late payment fee possible on a regular basis until the amount of money you owe is less than or equal to your credit limit.
Overdue:
The status of an account when the minimum payment has not been received by the due date.
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PIN:
Abbreviation for Personal Identification Number - the number used as an access code in electronic devices. PIN security is critical so please refer to instructions issued by your card issuer and follow them strictly. Failure to take care of your PIN may cause you financial loss.
Posting Date:
The date that a purchase, cash advance, fee, service charge or payment is recorded on your charge or credit account. This is also the date shown on your statement.
Prepayment:
When a portion or the entire amount of the principal of a loan is paid before it is due. This will usually reduce the total amount of interest that must be paid. In some cases (particularly with mortgages) there may be fees for prepayment so check you conditions of use.
Previous Balance:
The total balance due at the end of the previous billing cycle.
Principal:
Principal is the portion of a loan that represents the actual amount of money borrowed. Principal is separate from interest. In terms of credit cards, principal represents the price of purchased items or the amount of a cash advance.
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Reference/ Referee:
A person who can vouch for your reliability, employment history or other factor needed to determine your creditworthiness or who may be contacted in case you cannot be contacted.
Reserve Bank of Australia:
The central, government bank in Australia, that monitors and influences the total supply of money and credit. The Commonwealth Treasury sets interest rates, maintains the flow of cash to local and regional banks and helps guarantee the stability and security of the Australian banking system.
Revolving Credit:
A credit agreement that establishes a credit limit and allows consumers make various credit and debit transactions without the need to get specific credit approval.
Reward Scheme/Loyalty Program:
Some credit card issuers supply benefits based upon the card's usage. Benefits are usually in the form of services, such as access to airline flights, discounts on future purchases or cash refunds. A fee is often charged to be part of a reward scheme.
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Secured Debt:
Debt for which repayment is guaranteed through the provision of security, or collateral, of equal or greater value than the amount of the loan. If you do not repay the loan, the credit provider may take possession of the security. Collateral may be an asset such as a car or a home. For example, a mortgage is a secured debt in which the home is security. If the person fails to repay the loan, the credit provider may take the home as payment.
Signs of Trouble:
Situations or events that suggest you may be having financial difficulty. For example, a sign of trouble could be that you use your credit card to pay for groceries because you have no money in your everyday savings account. Other signs of trouble include paying only the minimum due on your credit cards, using one credit card to pay the monthly minimum on another card and routinely having "maxed out" credit cards.
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Taxable Income:
Any money you earn or receive - such as salary, bonuses or interest from investments that can be taxed by the government.
Transaction Date:
The date a purchase is made, cash is withdrawn or a payment made on your account.
Transaction Fee/ Usage Fee:
An fee charged for various activities such as using an ATM or receiving a cash advance.
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Uniform Consumer Credit Code:
The Uniform Consumer Credit Code covers almost all the consumer credit transactions that take place across Australia including personal loans, credit cards, overdrafts, home loans and pay day loans. It doesn’t cover all forms of credit. For example, some types of short term credit, or credit used for investments or business purposes are excluded.
Unsecured Debt:
This is debt that is not guaranteed by security, therefore, no assets are committed in the event of default. If the credit issuer is unable to collect on the loan, its value is lost. Most credit cards are unsecured. The rate of interest on unsecured credit may be higher than for secured credit.
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Variable Expenses:
Variable expenses are those that can change from month to month. Variable expenses include necessities that can be reduced (such as food) and non-essentials that could be eliminated (e.g., dining out at restaurants). Reducing these expenses is the simplest step in getting control of your finances.
Variable Interest Rate:
An interest rate that changes. The change may be based on specific events such as the Cash Rate. A variable rate credit card will often have an interest rate like "Cash + 5.9%" meaning that the interest on the card is the Cash Rate plus an additional 5.9%.
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Zero Balance:
Zero balance is when the total outstanding balance is paid and there are no new charges or cash advances during a billing cycle.
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Affinity Credit Card:
A credit card that links up with a particular organisation, charity or cause. The cardholder receives benefits such as discounts or promotional rewards for specific transaction activities .
Age Requirement:
To apply for a credit facility you must be at least 18 years old.
Annual Fee:
Some credit card issuers charge an annual fee; it is the yearly cost you pay for having the card.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR):
The annual percentage rate is a measure of the cost of credit expressed as a yearly interest rate.
Application:
A form used to apply for credit.
Asset:
Cash or anything you own that can be turned into cash. This includes property, goods, savings or investments.
ATM:
Automated Teller Machine.
Available Credit:
Available credit is your credit limit minus the total of your current balance and any transactions you have made that have not been applied to your account. It is the unused portion of your credit line.
Average Daily Balance:
The average daily balance is a common way credit card issuers and other lenders calculate the amount upon which the finance charges will be calculated. The credit card company finds the balance each day of the billing period, adds the daily balances together and divides by the number of days in the period. The calculation includes new purchases and payments. You should refer to the conditions of use of your credit facility for specific information and details regarding the calculation of the Average Daily Balance.
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Bad Credit:
A term used to describe a poor credit rating. Common practices which can damage your credit rating include late or missed payments, exceeding the credit limit on cards, defaulting on loans or declaring bankruptcy. ‘Bad Credit’ can result in the denial of future credit or having to pay a higher interest rate.
Balance Calculation Method:
Balance Calculation Method is the method used by a lender to calculate the balance owed and the interest due each month.
Balance Transfer:
Transferring balances from one credit card to another, usually to take advantage of a lower interest rate. Transfers are limited to the available credit on the receiving card.
Balance/Amount Owed:
The total amount you owe the lender including any unpaid balance from last month, new purchases, cash advances, and any other charges such as an annual fee, late fees or finance charges. The "Amount I Owe" should not be confused with the minimum amount due (the minimum payment required each month).
Bankruptcy:
Bankruptcy is a legal declaration of your inability to repay your debts. Bankruptcy should be viewed as a last resort. It will tarnish your credit rating and will remain on your credit report for up to seven years, severely impacting your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Billing Cycle:
The number of days between your last statement date and your next statement date.
Billing Statement:
A monthly bill from your lender which describes and summarises the activity on your account including the outstanding balance, purchases, payments, credits, finance charges and other transactions for the month. In some circumstances, these may be sent less frequently.
Borrower:
The borrower is the person who signs and agrees to the terms of credit, and who is legally responsible for repaying the loan.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is your monthly income less expenses.
Budget:
The financial record you use to keep track of the money you earn, how much you spend and what you spend it on. Your budget also includes savings and how much you pay to your lenders.
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Cash Advance Fee:
A one-time fee for cash advances in addition to normal finance charges. This fee may be a percentage of the advance amount, a flat fee or a combination of the two
Cash Advance:
A cash withdrawal using your credit card at an automated teller machine or bank teller. This cash is an instant loan from your credit card account. The credit card issuer will apply finance charges from the day you take the advance until the day you pay it off. A transaction fee may also be charged based on the amount of your withdrawal. Cash Advances may also include ‘cash like’ purchases such as travelers cheques.
Cash Rate:
The Cash Rate is the interest rate that major banks charge to many of their best corporate borrowers. Each bank sets it own Cash Rate, though because the rate is so competitive, most of the time the rate is similar amongst all banks.
Charge Card:
A card that requires full payment of the balance upon receipt of the monthly statement. If payment is made on time, there are no finance charges.
Collateral:
An asset – also known as ‘security’, pledged to a lender to reduce the risk of a loan. Collateral usually refers to real estate, motor vehicles, caravans or cash like deposits. Collateral is not required for unsecured credit facilities.
Collection:
The business area within a credit provider that is set up to call and remind customers that their accounts are past due and the referral of a past due account to a specialist in collecting loans or accounts receivable.
Consolidation Loan:
If you owe money to several credit providers, you can combine your payments and balances into a single account with one credit provider. This can be done in several ways. For example, you can transfer several high interest credit card balances onto one card with a lower rate. Or, if you own a home, you can consolidate your debt into a low-interest home equity loan.
Consumer Credit / Credit Counselling Services:
Non-profit organisations with professional financial counselors who provide help to people during financial crises by negotiating with their credit providers to accept reduced payments. This assistance is available free or at a very low cost.
Credit Bureau File:
A credit bureau file is a record of all of the information that credit bureaus have collected about the way you've managed your finances over the last five to seven years. It is the official record of the names of companies you have applied for credit with, those that have lent you money and whether you have missed any payments. The information on your report may become a factor contributing to a decision whether you qualify or not for credit cards, mortgages, loans or connection to utilities like the telephone.
Credit Bureau:
A credit bureau is a company that maintains credit files. Potential creditors generally check your credit bureau file when you apply for a loan, credit card or even to get the phone connected. The credit bureau also records cases of default in your obligations to lenders or credit providers. If you are denied credit, the creditor must tell you where they got the credit information.
Credit card contract:
The credit issuer’s written statement of terms and conditions relating to your credit card account. The Credit Card Contract is required by law. The Contract states many things including how interest is calculated, how you can pay off your card balance and your rights in any billing disputes.
Credit Card Debt:
The total unpaid balances on all of your credit cards (not to be confused with the minimum amount you owe each month).
Credit Criteria:
Factors used by credit providers to rate the credit worthiness or ability to repay debt. They may include the following: income, amount of personal debt carried, number of accounts from other credit sources and credit history.
Credit History:
Your credit history is a record of the way you manage your debt. It is kept by credit bureaus in the form of a credit bureau file. Banks and credit card issuers tell the credit bureau details of all applications for credit and if you have defaulted on any obligations. When you apply for new credit or a loan, the credit provider will check your credit history before granting any credit. Information such as missed or late payments will be on your credit report for up to five years and bankruptcy filings can remain there for as long as seven years.
Credit Limit:
The maximum balance you can carry on your credit card or line of credit account.
Credit Management:
The way you handle the money you borrow from banks or credit providers. For example, you should try to pay more than the minimum due each month and make sure payments are received by the due date.
Credit:
An amount of money that a lender provides to you. For credit cards and lines of credit, you can charge/spend any amount from your credit limit to make purchases or take cash advances. As long as you pay the minimum amount due each month by the due date, you can continue to use your remaining available credit. For fixed loans, the credit is the amount lent upon opening of the account.
Credit-worthy:
You are judged to be qualified to have credit provided to you.
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Daily Interest Rate:
The interest rate factor used to calculate the interest charges on a daily basis. The factor is computed by dividing the yearly rate by 365 days.
Debit Card:
When you make a purchase with a debit card, your money is deducted directly from your financial institutions account. You can spend only the amount of money you have in your account when you use your debit card.
Debt Ratio:
Debt ratio is a way of expressing how much of what you earn is committed to paying your debt each month.
Debt:
Money you owe to banks or credit providers. More specifically, it is the amount of money that you have borrowed and not paid back.
Default:
Failure to repay a loan according to the agreed upon terms.
Deferred Payment:
Payments put off to a future date or extended over a period of time. Interest will usually still accumulate during deferment.
Dispute:
If you think that an item shown on your statement is wrong, you must contact the credit card issuer immediately. In some cases the issuer may be able to correct the error immediately however usually you will be required to lodge a dispute claim in writing. You must not delay this process as the card issuer’s ability to get a refund of the charge/s and/or credit your account can have set time limits.
Due Date:
The day a payment is due to a credit provider. After that date, a late fee can be charged, the payment can be recorded as late, and the account can be considered in default. If you are unable to make payment close to the due date, you should contact the credit provider and let them know.
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Expense Ratio:
Expense ratio usually gives a clear picture of your overall financial well-being. To calculate your ratio, first add up all your monthly income including take-home pay (after taxes), Centrelink benefits and maintenance. Then add up all your monthly payments for interest bearing loans and accounts, such as mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and car loans. If you rent your home, include that amount, but do not include utilities and telephone charges because they can vary on a monthly basis. Finally, divide your monthly payments by your income. Multiply the result by 100 and that number is your expense ratio percentage.
A low ratio is under 20%, which means that you are in good financial health and are doing a good job of managing your money.
A moderate ratio is between 21% and 40%. This means that you should look carefully at your monthly payments and start decreasing your overall level of debt, including credit cards.
A high debt burden is over 40%. You should immediately stop accumulating debt and start looking for ways to decrease your debt or increase your income.
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Finance Charges:
Finance charges are the cost of consumer credit expressed as a dollar amount. They include any charges, such as interest and fees, paid by the consumer to the credit provider for obtaining a loan.
Finance Company:
A finance company is a business that makes consumer loans, often to consumers who cannot qualify for credit at a credit union or bank. Typically the interest rates charged by a finance company are higher than those charged by other credit providers.
Financial Health (also referred to as financial well-being):
This is a description of your overall financial situation. To take a closer look at your financial health, you consider the amount of money you make each month, if you own a home or other valuables, any investments you may have, and the amount of debt you carry. For example, if you own a home, have a small mortgage, and have very little credit card debt, you are in good financial health.
Fixed Expenses:
Fixed expenses are those that you have to pay every month. These are expenses that you really can't change like your mortgage, rent payment or car payment.
Forbearance:
Forbearance is a word used to describe the situation in which a credit provider will postpone payments, say for six months to one year, due to hardship. Interest continually accrues during the period of forbearance.
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Guarantee:
An agreement that is made with a credit provider that makes the Guarantor also legally responsible for the payments, penalties and implications of the principal borrower in a loan.
Guarantor:
A guarantor is a person who signs a loan or credit card, pledging to also be legally responsible for repaying the loan or debt in the event the borrower is unable.
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Household Income:
Income from all sources including wages, commissions, bonuses, child support, Social Security/pension benefits, unemployment compensation or disability, dividends and interest.
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Instalment Loan/Personal Loan:
A loan that you promise to pay back by paying the same amount of money on a regular basis, usually monthly, for a specific amount of time. For example, you might pay back an instalment loan by paying $300 a month for five years. Personal and car loans are usually installment loans.
Interest Rate:
The rate that a bank or credit provider charges for the money it lends to you.
Interest-free Period:
Some credit cards give the cardholder the option to make transactions on their account without being charged any interest. If your card has an ‘interest free day’ clause (check your pre contractual statement or your conditions of use) then you will qualify for interest free use so long as you pay the entire closing balance of each monthly statement before the due date shown on the statement. If you pay less than the full closing balance as shown on the statement you will incur interest charges in accord with the conditions of use. If you short pay one time, you usually need to pay the full balance for two consecutive months before your account will be interest free again.
If you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, you do not have an interest-free period even if your conditions of use say your account has interest free days options. You are charged interest immediately when you make a purchase. For example, if you have a balance of $500 and make a payment of $50 on June 1st, and buy an item for $50 on June 2nd, you will immediately be charged interest on that $50 purchase. This is because you have an outstanding balance of approximately $450 between June 2nd and your next statement.
Importantly, if your credit card is not an interest free day type account, even if you pay the statement balance in full each month, you will still be charged interest.
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Late Payment Fee:
A fee charged for failing to submit the minimum monthly payment by its due date. Refer to your conditions of use for details.
Late Payment:
All finance agreements have a date by which payments are due. If you miss the due date, the account is considered overdue and you may be charged a late fee. Late payments may be reflected on your credit report. If you have paid late numerous times, it may be difficult to get future credit.
Legal Judgment:
A court verdict that requires a person to do something, such as pay a debt.
Liability:
Liability is the responsibility for a loan or credit account. When applying for a credit card, for example, the card holder agrees to be liable for any charges to his or her account, including purchases, fees and finance charges. Your liability is described in the Credit Card contract you receive from the issuer.
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Minimum Amount Due/Minimum Payment:
The smallest amount you can pay by the due date and still meet the terms of your Credit Contract.
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Outstanding Balance:
The total amount that you owe on a credit card or other debt.
Over -Limit Fee:
A charge imposed for exceeding your assigned credit limit.
Over the Credit Limit:
When the amount you owe is more than the limit on your credit card. Any combination of purchases, cash advances, fees or finance charges may cause you to exceed your credit limit. For example, you will be over the credit limit if you spend $2,000 when you have $1,000 of your credit limit left. If you go over your credit limit, you may be charged an extra late payment fee possible on a regular basis until the amount of money you owe is less than or equal to your credit limit.
Overdue:
The status of an account when the minimum payment has not been received by the due date.
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PIN:
Abbreviation for Personal Identification Number - the number used as an access code in electronic devices. PIN security is critical so please refer to instructions issued by your card issuer and follow them strictly. Failure to take care of your PIN may cause you financial loss.
Posting Date:
The date that a purchase, cash advance, fee, service charge or payment is recorded on your charge or credit account. This is also the date shown on your statement.
Prepayment:
When a portion or the entire amount of the principal of a loan is paid before it is due. This will usually reduce the total amount of interest that must be paid. In some cases (particularly with mortgages) there may be fees for prepayment so check you conditions of use.
Previous Balance:
The total balance due at the end of the previous billing cycle.
Principal:
Principal is the portion of a loan that represents the actual amount of money borrowed. Principal is separate from interest. In terms of credit cards, principal represents the price of purchased items or the amount of a cash advance.
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Reference/ Referee:
A person who can vouch for your reliability, employment history or other factor needed to determine your creditworthiness or who may be contacted in case you cannot be contacted.
Reserve Bank of Australia:
The central, government bank in Australia, that monitors and influences the total supply of money and credit. The Commonwealth Treasury sets interest rates, maintains the flow of cash to local and regional banks and helps guarantee the stability and security of the Australian banking system.
Revolving Credit:
A credit agreement that establishes a credit limit and allows consumers make various credit and debit transactions without the need to get specific credit approval.
Reward Scheme/Loyalty Program:
Some credit card issuers supply benefits based upon the card's usage. Benefits are usually in the form of services, such as access to airline flights, discounts on future purchases or cash refunds. A fee is often charged to be part of a reward scheme.
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Secured Debt:
Debt for which repayment is guaranteed through the provision of security, or collateral, of equal or greater value than the amount of the loan. If you do not repay the loan, the credit provider may take possession of the security. Collateral may be an asset such as a car or a home. For example, a mortgage is a secured debt in which the home is security. If the person fails to repay the loan, the credit provider may take the home as payment.
Signs of Trouble:
Situations or events that suggest you may be having financial difficulty. For example, a sign of trouble could be that you use your credit card to pay for groceries because you have no money in your everyday savings account. Other signs of trouble include paying only the minimum due on your credit cards, using one credit card to pay the monthly minimum on another card and routinely having "maxed out" credit cards.
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Taxable Income:
Any money you earn or receive - such as salary, bonuses or interest from investments that can be taxed by the government.
Transaction Date:
The date a purchase is made, cash is withdrawn or a payment made on your account.
Transaction Fee/ Usage Fee:
An fee charged for various activities such as using an ATM or receiving a cash advance.
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Uniform Consumer Credit Code:
The Uniform Consumer Credit Code covers almost all the consumer credit transactions that take place across Australia including personal loans, credit cards, overdrafts, home loans and pay day loans. It doesn’t cover all forms of credit. For example, some types of short term credit, or credit used for investments or business purposes are excluded.
Unsecured Debt:
This is debt that is not guaranteed by security, therefore, no assets are committed in the event of default. If the credit issuer is unable to collect on the loan, its value is lost. Most credit cards are unsecured. The rate of interest on unsecured credit may be higher than for secured credit.
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Variable Expenses:
Variable expenses are those that can change from month to month. Variable expenses include necessities that can be reduced (such as food) and non-essentials that could be eliminated (e.g., dining out at restaurants). Reducing these expenses is the simplest step in getting control of your finances.
Variable Interest Rate:
An interest rate that changes. The change may be based on specific events such as the Cash Rate. A variable rate credit card will often have an interest rate like "Cash + 5.9%" meaning that the interest on the card is the Cash Rate plus an additional 5.9%.
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Zero Balance:
Zero balance is when the total outstanding balance is paid and there are no new charges or cash advances during a billing cycle.
Credit is a powerful tool.
Credit is a powerful tool.
It's convenient. It makes managing your money easier, and it can be especially used for emergencies. But it's also big responsibility. When credit is used improperly, it canlead to unmanageable debt and financial crisis. We believe that the more you know about credit, the more likely you are to use this powertool wisely.
Credit Card useful tips:
1. Shop around for the best credit card terms.
2. Understand all the terms of the card agreement before you accept a credit card.
3. Set a monthly spending limit and stick to it.
4. Shop as carefully with a credit card as you do with cash.
5. Pay your credit card bills promptly and in full to minimized finance charges.
6. Don't take on monthly credit payments unless you're certain you can meet them.
7. If you charge day-to-day expenses, pay them in full each month.
8. Save money each payday for emergencies.
9. Keep credit card information (including phone number of issuer) in a safe place in case your cards are lost or stolen.
10. Keep copies of sales slips and compare charges when credit card bills arrive. If there's a mistake, call your credit card issuer.
It's convenient. It makes managing your money easier, and it can be especially used for emergencies. But it's also big responsibility. When credit is used improperly, it canlead to unmanageable debt and financial crisis. We believe that the more you know about credit, the more likely you are to use this powertool wisely.
Credit Card useful tips:
1. Shop around for the best credit card terms.
2. Understand all the terms of the card agreement before you accept a credit card.
3. Set a monthly spending limit and stick to it.
4. Shop as carefully with a credit card as you do with cash.
5. Pay your credit card bills promptly and in full to minimized finance charges.
6. Don't take on monthly credit payments unless you're certain you can meet them.
7. If you charge day-to-day expenses, pay them in full each month.
8. Save money each payday for emergencies.
9. Keep credit card information (including phone number of issuer) in a safe place in case your cards are lost or stolen.
10. Keep copies of sales slips and compare charges when credit card bills arrive. If there's a mistake, call your credit card issuer.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Focus on Problems vs. Focus on Solution
When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (Ink won't flow down to the writing surface).In order to solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature
range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C. And what did Russians do...??
The Russians used a Pencil!!!
________________________________________________________________
One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soap box, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soap box that was empty.
Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve the problem.
Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent whoopee amount to do so.
But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, did not get into complications of X-rays, etc but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral of the story: KISS (Keep It Simple,Stupid) i.e. always look for simple solutions. Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problem. So, learn to focus on solutions not on problems
"If you look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything"
"If you look at what you have in life, you have everything"
range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C. And what did Russians do...??
The Russians used a Pencil!!!
________________________________________________________________
One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soap box, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soap box that was empty.
Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve the problem.
Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent whoopee amount to do so.
But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, did not get into complications of X-rays, etc but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral of the story: KISS (Keep It Simple,Stupid) i.e. always look for simple solutions. Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problem. So, learn to focus on solutions not on problems
"If you look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything"
"If you look at what you have in life, you have everything"
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Nais mo bang maging Vegetarian?
Nais mo bang maging Vegetarian?
Nais mo bang maging vegetarian nguni’t medyo nahihirapan kang biglang mag-shift mula sa pagkakaroon ng karne tungo sa meat-free diet? Narito ang ilang simpleng hakbang na makakatulong para sa iyo.
1. Simulang damihan ang gulay sa iyong mga nilulutong ulam. Hangga’t maaari palitan din ng mga katumbas na gulay ang karne lalo na sa inyong paboritong lutuin. Halimbawa kung mag-spaghetti, imbes na gumamit ng giniling na karne, ipalit ay mushroom. Maari ring gamitin ang beans lalo na sa paggawa ng iba’t-ibang lutuing pasta tulad ng baked lasagna o macaroni. Maaari ring gamitin ang tokwa bilang pamalit sa karne.
2. Simulang tumingin ng mga vegetarian food sa mga supermarkets o eatery stores tulad ng mga instant soup na gawa sa gulay, veggie hamburgers o hotdog, o mga panghimagas na tofu. Kung oorder ng pizza, piliin ang veggie type. Simulan na ring maghanap ng mga vegetarian dish sa inyong mga suking kainan. Sa kasalukuyan, may mga fastfoods na rin na nag-offer ng mga veggie burger. Mabibili na rin sa mga sikat na lugar kapihan ang mga latte na gawa naman sa soya milk.
3. Para naman sa lutuing karne tulad ng kaldereta o apritada, gumamit ng mga veggie meat tulad ng gluten. Ang lasa nito ay parang tunay na karne at kayang linlangin maging ang mga die-hard na meat eater.
4. Tuklasan din ang mga iba pang vegetarian foods na sikat sa ibang bansa tulad ng humus (gawa sa garbansos), falapel (isang spicy mix ng beans na ginawang “meatballs”) at seitan (gawa naman sa wheat).
5. Ugaliing basahin ang label ng mga binibiling produktong pagkain. Ito ay upang matiyak na ligtas at walang halong karne ang inyong bibilhing de-lata o anumang pagkain.
Suporatahan ang pagpapalaganap ng vegetarian diet sa bansa. Himukin din ang iba pa nating mga paboritong kainan na mag-offer na rin ng mga vegetarian dishes. Dahil ang pag-shift sa vegetarian diet ay maganda para sa ating kalusugan at ating kalikasan.
Bakit ako vegetarian?
(Pagbabahagi ng may-akda sa mga estudyante, magulang at guro sa San Lorenzo Formation Center, Brgy. Lalud, Lungsod ng Calapan noong ika-31 ng Hulyo)
Sampung taon na akong vegetarian. Nagsimula ito bilang isang political decision. Nakumbinsi kasi ako ang higit na maraming bilang ng populasyon ay ang simpleng magsasaka at malaking tulong ang pagtaguyod sa kanilang produkto. Karamihan dito ay plant-based gaya ng bigas, gulay at prutas. Kung tatangkilikin sila, gaganahan silang magtanim.
Dagdag pa rito, higit na malusog ang pagkain kung ito ay “"chemical free"- walang abono at pestisidyo. Pilit ko ring tinalikuran ang junk foods na ma-vetsin - naisip ko, bakit ko gagawing basura ang aking sarili. Bilang media practitioner, batid ko na ang maraming advertisements ay ipinapalabas kahit walang ibubuti sa kalusugan upang kumita ang mga kumpanya. Nung pumasok ako sa Brahma Kumaris bilang estudyante ng meditation, lumalim ang pang-unawa ko sa pagiging vegetarian.
Naunawaan ko na ako ay hindi ang katawan kundi isang kaluluwa. Ang kaluluwa ang nagbibigay-buhay sa katawan na aking costume o instrumento upang makapagpahayag. Kung ang aking katawan ay pinapakain ng 3 beses isang araw, maliban pa ang mga meryenda, higit pa sana rito ang pagpapakain sa kaluluwa.
At dahil ang kaluluwa ay isang enerhiya, naunawaan ko na mahalaga rin ang uri ng enerhiya na ibinibigay dito. Ang plant-based diet ay halos walang stress kumpara sa pagkaing-hayop.
Ang paraan ng pagpapalaki sa hayop (baboy atbp.) hanggang sa pagkuha ng karne nito ay “stressful.” Madumi ang ilang pinapakain dito. Parang torture ang pagpatay dito. Ang uri ng enerhiya ng pagkain mula rito ay nakukuha natin. Kaya nga may mga taong hindi mapakali, stressful, magugulatin, hindi stable atbp. Dagdag pa dito ang mga chemicals na itinuturok upang hindi mabulok at langawin. Kung sabay mong iwan ang plant-based na pagkain at karne, ‘di katagalan ay lalangawin at uuurin ang karne at mabubulok samantalang ang gulay ay malalanta lamang.
Sa loob ng sampung taon, higit akong naging mapayapa, masayahin, malayo sa sakit at malikhain dahil sa pag-eeksperimento ng mga menu. Naging resourceful din ako sa pagkuha ng mga nutrisyon na kinakailangan ng katawan tulad ng nuts. Naging disiplinado at determinado ako. Higit sa lahat, mas madaling kumonek sa Diyos dahil maganda ang vibrations. Om shanti. Ito ang pagbati ng kapayapaan sa Brahma Kumaris.
Ang bigas ay buhay!
Dahil genetically modified na ang ibig sabihin ay binago ang naturalesa ng bigas, hindi tayo makakasiguro na ang pagbabago ay puro kabutihan ang hatid sa atin
Ipinagdiriwang ngayong 2004 ng Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Bansa o United Nations ang "International Year of Rice" o Pangdaigdigang Taon ng Bigas" . Sa pamamagitan ng temang "Rice is Life' o "Ang Bigas ay Buhay" naglalayong ipagdiwang ang bigas at ang buong kulturang pumapaloob sa pagtatanim, pag-aani, pagtitinda, pagbili, pagluluto at pagkain ng bigas at ng mga iba’t ibang produktong buhat sa bigas.
Bilang mga Pilipino, kinagisnan na natin ang kanin sa ating hapag kainan. Bihira kung mayroon mang pagkakataon na hindi ka makakakita ng kanin na bawa’t panahong may kainang Pinoy.
At hindi lang kanin ang ating nakasanayan na kagiliwan, nandyan ang ating mga kakanin tulad ng puto, kutsinta, palitaw at kung anu-ano pang kakanin na buhat sa bigas. Mayroon pang ampaw na bihira ko na lang yatang makita at makain ngayon. May mga makabagong meryenda rin tulad ng ilang tsitsirya na galing sa bigas. At hindi rin nakaligtas ang bigas sa hilig ng Pinoy sa pag-inom ng alak, ang "tapuy" ay galing sa bigas kaya nga tinatawag sa Ingles na "rice wine." Hindi ko pa natitikman ang "sake" ng mga Hapon, pareho kaya sila ng sarap?
Nakakalungkot lang na pag-isipan ang ilang mga usapin pagdating sa bigas. Dati dito lang nag-aral ang mga taga-Thailand at Vietnam tungkol sa pagtatanim at pagpapayabong ng bigas habang tayo ay nakakapag-padala na ng ating bigas sa ibang bahagi ng mundo. At ang ating bigas ang itinuturing na isa sa pinakamasarap na bigas. Hindi na yata ito totoo ngayon. Nakakatawa nga kasi, merong mga Pilipinong may kamag-anak sa Amerika na kasamang nakalagay sa kanilang mga padala ang bigas "Jasmine" na galing Thailand.
Mas maganda rin daw ang dami ng ani ng palay sa Thailand kung ihahambing sa atin. Hindi naman katakataka dahil buhay na buhay ang kanilang mga ilog na siya na ring pinanggagalingan ng kanilang patubig at hindi sila gumastos ng malaki sa patubig para mapag-ibayo ang kanilang ani. Kumpara mo sa dumadaming ilog sa Pilipinas na malapit nang ituring na patay at ni hindi na maaring gawing patubig sa ating mga palayan dahil sa sobrang dumi.
Umuusad naman ang ating teknolohiya pagdating sa palay. Kung noong dekada 70 naging maugong ang Masagana 99 dahil ikinapupuri ng dating administrasyon ang 99 sakong ani sa bawat hektarya, ngayon mayroong Gloria rice na nagdadala ng mahigit pa raw sa 200 sako bawat hektarya. Mas masarap at mas mabango raw na ‘di hamak ang Gloria kung ikukumpara sa ibang bigas. At dahil marami ang inaasahang ani, inaasahang bababa rin ang presyo ng bigas dahil dito.
Sa pangunguna ng ating mga masisipag na siyentipiko sa International Rice Research Institute o IRRI sa Los Banos, Laguna nagkaroon din ng Golden Rice na isang Genetically Modified Rice para matugunan ang pagkukulang ng ating mga kababayan sa Bitamina A na siyang itinuturong dahilan ng pagkabulag ng ilan sa ating mga kabataan.
Nakakatakot nga lang ang usapin sa iba pang klase ng mga bigas na itinutulak ngayon, isa na ang BT rice. Kahit na itinuturing na walang kasiguruhang masamang epekto ang resulta ng mga pagsusulit na ginawa sa ilang katutubong B’laang magsasaka sa Bukidnon na nakitaan ng "BT Toxin" sa dugo matapos na makakain ng BT corn — isang uri ng mais na nilagyan ng katangian ng isang bakterya, (ang katangiang inilalagay din sa BT rice)— kinakailangang siguruhin na walang anumang masamang epekto sa mga tao at iba pang nilalang ang pagtatanim at pagkain ng mga organismo na may BT. Kahit na sinasabi na ang BT ay makikita lamang sa dahon at hindi sa mga butil ng palay, kailangang matiyak na hindi nagagalaw ang mabuting naturalesa ng ibang mga buhay na nilalang sa bukid. Dahil genetically modified na ang ibig sabihin ay binago ang naturalesa ng bigas, hindi tayo makakasiguro na ang pagbabago ay puro kabutihan ang hatid sa atin. Wala pang malawakang pag-aaral sa epekto ng mga kakaibang bigas na ito at nakakalungkot na ibinebenta na ito at kinakain ng ating mga kababayan kahit ‘di pa tiyak ang kaligtasan nito.
Dahil sa mababaw na kamalayan at dahil na rin walang babalang nakasulat sa mga pakete ng naturang bigas, baka magkaroon na lang ng malawakang reaksiyon ang ating mga katawan. Pangangati, pagpapantal, pagtaas ng bilang ng mga hinihika at may “allergy” ang ilan lang sa mga nakita nang resulta ng reaksiyon ng ating katawan sa mga Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).
Mahigit 3 milyong musmos ang malnourished
Bawa’t tao daw ay maaaring makapuno ng lahat ng kailangang sustansya sa P29 bawat araw, pero marahil ito ay kung alam ang tamang bilihin
Nakakakilabot manirahan sa isang lipunang pumapayag na isa sa bawa’t tatlong bata ay kulang sa nutrisyon. Pero sa nakaraang sampung taon ay ganito na ang naging sitwasyon sa Pilipinas.
Kung kukunin pa lamang ang resulta ng mga pag-aaral ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute noong 2003 sa mga musmos o hanggang limang taong gulang, 27.6% ang mababa ang timbang, 30.4% ang maigsi. Ang dalawang palatandaang ito ay nagsasaad na halos isa sa bawa’t tatlong musmos na Pinoy ay lubhang kulang sa nutrisyon.
Ang masaklap pa, magandang balita na nga ito dahil ang pinanggalingan noong pag-aaral noong 2001 ay 30.6% ang mababa ang timbang. Sa loob ng 14 na taon ng pagsusuri ng timbang ng mga batang 0-5 taong gulang, halos wala tayong nagawa. Mabuti-buti na nga daw ay halos 3% ang ibinaba ng mababa ang timbang dahil mula 1990-2001 ay 3.9% lamang ang ibinaba ng numerong ito. Samakatwid ay nagawa yata sa loob ng dalawang taon ang hindi kaya sa loob ng labing-sa? Mali pa rin, dahil ang numerong ito ay porsyento. Kung akwtal na bilang ng mga bata ang pagbabatayan, hindi siguro masyadong nagbago dahil lumaki naman ang bilang ng mga bata.
Hindi na nakapagtataka na ang banggit ni Senador Ralph Recto ay gumagamit ng pamalit-ulam ang mga Pinoy — sa halip na gulay, isda o karne, ang iniuulam na ay toyo, kape, mantika, asin, asukal na pula, bagoong, gatas na malapot, gatas na pulbos, soft drinks at powdered chocolate drinks. Nakalimutan pa ‘ata ni Senador ang instant noodles na siyang pinakamalimit kaining pagkaing‘‘di-sariwa kasama ng sardinas.
Ang resulta noong 2001 ay mas nakakabagabag kung hihiwa-hiwalayin ang porsyento ng isa-isang taon. Sa mga sanggol na hanggang isang taon, 11.9% lang ang mababa ang timbang. Nguni’t pagtuntong ng isang taon, 35.6% na at pagdating ng dalawang taon ay 35.2% na ang mababa ang timbang. Maipapaliwanag daw ito, sabi ng mananaliksik, dahil bago mag-isang taon, mas maayos ang sustansiya ng bata dahil sumususo pa sa ina. Pagdating daw ng isang taon ay binubutaw na at hindi naman napapakain ng husay kaya’t bumabagsak ang katawan.
Halos nagkakaisa ang lahat ng siyentipiko na ang 0-3 years and pinaka-importanteng taon kapag nutrisyon at pagkain ang pinag-usapan lalo na sa pag-debelop ng utak. Kung dahil sa pagbubutaw ang pagbagsak ng katawan, dapat nga yatang iwasang ibutaw ang bata. Hindi ba’t sabi naman ng lahat ng lata ng gatas ay pinakamahusay pa rin ang pagpapasuso ng ina hanggang dalawang taon?
Noong 2002 ay naalarma na ang World Health Assembly sa patuloy na pagbagsak ng kalusugan ng mga sanggol at musmos. Nagpasa ito noon ng Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding at idiniing muli ang kahalagahan ng pagpapasuso hanggang dalawang taon at lampas pa. Itinakda rito na bawa’t bansa ay dapat magtakda ng target na dapat abutin upang maipatupad ang maayos na kalusugan ng mga sanggol at musmos.
Sinabi rin sa estratehiyang ito na dapat tiyaking hindi papalitan o hahayaang mabawasan ng micronutrients o anupamang supplements ang wastong pagpapakain ng lokal at karaniwang pagkain. Samakatwid, kahit may sangkap-pinoy na tatak, hindi dapat mapalitan ng chichirya ang tamang pagkain.
Ayon din sa estratehiya, dapat ay gatas ng ina lamang ang ibinibigay sa bata hanggang anim na buwan — walang tubig, am, pagkain o tubig na may asukal dahil ang lahat ng ito ay magpapabawas ng pagsuso. Pagdating ng anim na buwan ay dapat nang bigyan ng mga pagkaing likas na makikita sa lugar. Ilan dito ay mga karaniwang maitatanim at mapipitas lamang sa kahit maliit na bakuran — malunggay, papaya, bayabas, pipino, kalabasa, saging, mangga, talong, kamote, kalamansi.
Bawa’t tao daw ay maaaring makapuno ng lahat ng kailangang sustansya sa P29 bawat araw, pero marahil ito ay kung alam ang tamang bilihin. Sa katunayan, maaari pa ngang mas mababa rito kung may mga tanim naman kahit sa paso. Ang problema ay mahirap nang magpatubo ng halaman sa patay na lupa. Iisa ang pangbuhay sa lupa — huwag nang ibigay sa basurero ang nabubulok, ilagak ito sa lupa na may hangin, tubig at araw at magiging pataba ito o compost.
Dugtong-dugtong talaga ang buhay.
Nais mo bang maging vegetarian nguni’t medyo nahihirapan kang biglang mag-shift mula sa pagkakaroon ng karne tungo sa meat-free diet? Narito ang ilang simpleng hakbang na makakatulong para sa iyo.1. Simulang damihan ang gulay sa iyong mga nilulutong ulam. Hangga’t maaari palitan din ng mga katumbas na gulay ang karne lalo na sa inyong paboritong lutuin. Halimbawa kung mag-spaghetti, imbes na gumamit ng giniling na karne, ipalit ay mushroom. Maari ring gamitin ang beans lalo na sa paggawa ng iba’t-ibang lutuing pasta tulad ng baked lasagna o macaroni. Maaari ring gamitin ang tokwa bilang pamalit sa karne.
2. Simulang tumingin ng mga vegetarian food sa mga supermarkets o eatery stores tulad ng mga instant soup na gawa sa gulay, veggie hamburgers o hotdog, o mga panghimagas na tofu. Kung oorder ng pizza, piliin ang veggie type. Simulan na ring maghanap ng mga vegetarian dish sa inyong mga suking kainan. Sa kasalukuyan, may mga fastfoods na rin na nag-offer ng mga veggie burger. Mabibili na rin sa mga sikat na lugar kapihan ang mga latte na gawa naman sa soya milk.
3. Para naman sa lutuing karne tulad ng kaldereta o apritada, gumamit ng mga veggie meat tulad ng gluten. Ang lasa nito ay parang tunay na karne at kayang linlangin maging ang mga die-hard na meat eater.
4. Tuklasan din ang mga iba pang vegetarian foods na sikat sa ibang bansa tulad ng humus (gawa sa garbansos), falapel (isang spicy mix ng beans na ginawang “meatballs”) at seitan (gawa naman sa wheat).
5. Ugaliing basahin ang label ng mga binibiling produktong pagkain. Ito ay upang matiyak na ligtas at walang halong karne ang inyong bibilhing de-lata o anumang pagkain.
Suporatahan ang pagpapalaganap ng vegetarian diet sa bansa. Himukin din ang iba pa nating mga paboritong kainan na mag-offer na rin ng mga vegetarian dishes. Dahil ang pag-shift sa vegetarian diet ay maganda para sa ating kalusugan at ating kalikasan.
Bakit ako vegetarian?
(Pagbabahagi ng may-akda sa mga estudyante, magulang at guro sa San Lorenzo Formation Center, Brgy. Lalud, Lungsod ng Calapan noong ika-31 ng Hulyo)
Sampung taon na akong vegetarian. Nagsimula ito bilang isang political decision. Nakumbinsi kasi ako ang higit na maraming bilang ng populasyon ay ang simpleng magsasaka at malaking tulong ang pagtaguyod sa kanilang produkto. Karamihan dito ay plant-based gaya ng bigas, gulay at prutas. Kung tatangkilikin sila, gaganahan silang magtanim.
Dagdag pa rito, higit na malusog ang pagkain kung ito ay “"chemical free"- walang abono at pestisidyo. Pilit ko ring tinalikuran ang junk foods na ma-vetsin - naisip ko, bakit ko gagawing basura ang aking sarili. Bilang media practitioner, batid ko na ang maraming advertisements ay ipinapalabas kahit walang ibubuti sa kalusugan upang kumita ang mga kumpanya. Nung pumasok ako sa Brahma Kumaris bilang estudyante ng meditation, lumalim ang pang-unawa ko sa pagiging vegetarian.
Naunawaan ko na ako ay hindi ang katawan kundi isang kaluluwa. Ang kaluluwa ang nagbibigay-buhay sa katawan na aking costume o instrumento upang makapagpahayag. Kung ang aking katawan ay pinapakain ng 3 beses isang araw, maliban pa ang mga meryenda, higit pa sana rito ang pagpapakain sa kaluluwa.
At dahil ang kaluluwa ay isang enerhiya, naunawaan ko na mahalaga rin ang uri ng enerhiya na ibinibigay dito. Ang plant-based diet ay halos walang stress kumpara sa pagkaing-hayop.
Ang paraan ng pagpapalaki sa hayop (baboy atbp.) hanggang sa pagkuha ng karne nito ay “stressful.” Madumi ang ilang pinapakain dito. Parang torture ang pagpatay dito. Ang uri ng enerhiya ng pagkain mula rito ay nakukuha natin. Kaya nga may mga taong hindi mapakali, stressful, magugulatin, hindi stable atbp. Dagdag pa dito ang mga chemicals na itinuturok upang hindi mabulok at langawin. Kung sabay mong iwan ang plant-based na pagkain at karne, ‘di katagalan ay lalangawin at uuurin ang karne at mabubulok samantalang ang gulay ay malalanta lamang.
Sa loob ng sampung taon, higit akong naging mapayapa, masayahin, malayo sa sakit at malikhain dahil sa pag-eeksperimento ng mga menu. Naging resourceful din ako sa pagkuha ng mga nutrisyon na kinakailangan ng katawan tulad ng nuts. Naging disiplinado at determinado ako. Higit sa lahat, mas madaling kumonek sa Diyos dahil maganda ang vibrations. Om shanti. Ito ang pagbati ng kapayapaan sa Brahma Kumaris.
Ang bigas ay buhay!
Dahil genetically modified na ang ibig sabihin ay binago ang naturalesa ng bigas, hindi tayo makakasiguro na ang pagbabago ay puro kabutihan ang hatid sa atin
Ipinagdiriwang ngayong 2004 ng Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Bansa o United Nations ang "International Year of Rice" o Pangdaigdigang Taon ng Bigas" . Sa pamamagitan ng temang "Rice is Life' o "Ang Bigas ay Buhay" naglalayong ipagdiwang ang bigas at ang buong kulturang pumapaloob sa pagtatanim, pag-aani, pagtitinda, pagbili, pagluluto at pagkain ng bigas at ng mga iba’t ibang produktong buhat sa bigas.
Bilang mga Pilipino, kinagisnan na natin ang kanin sa ating hapag kainan. Bihira kung mayroon mang pagkakataon na hindi ka makakakita ng kanin na bawa’t panahong may kainang Pinoy.
At hindi lang kanin ang ating nakasanayan na kagiliwan, nandyan ang ating mga kakanin tulad ng puto, kutsinta, palitaw at kung anu-ano pang kakanin na buhat sa bigas. Mayroon pang ampaw na bihira ko na lang yatang makita at makain ngayon. May mga makabagong meryenda rin tulad ng ilang tsitsirya na galing sa bigas. At hindi rin nakaligtas ang bigas sa hilig ng Pinoy sa pag-inom ng alak, ang "tapuy" ay galing sa bigas kaya nga tinatawag sa Ingles na "rice wine." Hindi ko pa natitikman ang "sake" ng mga Hapon, pareho kaya sila ng sarap?
Nakakalungkot lang na pag-isipan ang ilang mga usapin pagdating sa bigas. Dati dito lang nag-aral ang mga taga-Thailand at Vietnam tungkol sa pagtatanim at pagpapayabong ng bigas habang tayo ay nakakapag-padala na ng ating bigas sa ibang bahagi ng mundo. At ang ating bigas ang itinuturing na isa sa pinakamasarap na bigas. Hindi na yata ito totoo ngayon. Nakakatawa nga kasi, merong mga Pilipinong may kamag-anak sa Amerika na kasamang nakalagay sa kanilang mga padala ang bigas "Jasmine" na galing Thailand.
Mas maganda rin daw ang dami ng ani ng palay sa Thailand kung ihahambing sa atin. Hindi naman katakataka dahil buhay na buhay ang kanilang mga ilog na siya na ring pinanggagalingan ng kanilang patubig at hindi sila gumastos ng malaki sa patubig para mapag-ibayo ang kanilang ani. Kumpara mo sa dumadaming ilog sa Pilipinas na malapit nang ituring na patay at ni hindi na maaring gawing patubig sa ating mga palayan dahil sa sobrang dumi.
Umuusad naman ang ating teknolohiya pagdating sa palay. Kung noong dekada 70 naging maugong ang Masagana 99 dahil ikinapupuri ng dating administrasyon ang 99 sakong ani sa bawat hektarya, ngayon mayroong Gloria rice na nagdadala ng mahigit pa raw sa 200 sako bawat hektarya. Mas masarap at mas mabango raw na ‘di hamak ang Gloria kung ikukumpara sa ibang bigas. At dahil marami ang inaasahang ani, inaasahang bababa rin ang presyo ng bigas dahil dito.
Sa pangunguna ng ating mga masisipag na siyentipiko sa International Rice Research Institute o IRRI sa Los Banos, Laguna nagkaroon din ng Golden Rice na isang Genetically Modified Rice para matugunan ang pagkukulang ng ating mga kababayan sa Bitamina A na siyang itinuturong dahilan ng pagkabulag ng ilan sa ating mga kabataan.
Nakakatakot nga lang ang usapin sa iba pang klase ng mga bigas na itinutulak ngayon, isa na ang BT rice. Kahit na itinuturing na walang kasiguruhang masamang epekto ang resulta ng mga pagsusulit na ginawa sa ilang katutubong B’laang magsasaka sa Bukidnon na nakitaan ng "BT Toxin" sa dugo matapos na makakain ng BT corn — isang uri ng mais na nilagyan ng katangian ng isang bakterya, (ang katangiang inilalagay din sa BT rice)— kinakailangang siguruhin na walang anumang masamang epekto sa mga tao at iba pang nilalang ang pagtatanim at pagkain ng mga organismo na may BT. Kahit na sinasabi na ang BT ay makikita lamang sa dahon at hindi sa mga butil ng palay, kailangang matiyak na hindi nagagalaw ang mabuting naturalesa ng ibang mga buhay na nilalang sa bukid. Dahil genetically modified na ang ibig sabihin ay binago ang naturalesa ng bigas, hindi tayo makakasiguro na ang pagbabago ay puro kabutihan ang hatid sa atin. Wala pang malawakang pag-aaral sa epekto ng mga kakaibang bigas na ito at nakakalungkot na ibinebenta na ito at kinakain ng ating mga kababayan kahit ‘di pa tiyak ang kaligtasan nito.
Dahil sa mababaw na kamalayan at dahil na rin walang babalang nakasulat sa mga pakete ng naturang bigas, baka magkaroon na lang ng malawakang reaksiyon ang ating mga katawan. Pangangati, pagpapantal, pagtaas ng bilang ng mga hinihika at may “allergy” ang ilan lang sa mga nakita nang resulta ng reaksiyon ng ating katawan sa mga Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).
Mahigit 3 milyong musmos ang malnourished
Bawa’t tao daw ay maaaring makapuno ng lahat ng kailangang sustansya sa P29 bawat araw, pero marahil ito ay kung alam ang tamang bilihin
Nakakakilabot manirahan sa isang lipunang pumapayag na isa sa bawa’t tatlong bata ay kulang sa nutrisyon. Pero sa nakaraang sampung taon ay ganito na ang naging sitwasyon sa Pilipinas.
Kung kukunin pa lamang ang resulta ng mga pag-aaral ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute noong 2003 sa mga musmos o hanggang limang taong gulang, 27.6% ang mababa ang timbang, 30.4% ang maigsi. Ang dalawang palatandaang ito ay nagsasaad na halos isa sa bawa’t tatlong musmos na Pinoy ay lubhang kulang sa nutrisyon.
Ang masaklap pa, magandang balita na nga ito dahil ang pinanggalingan noong pag-aaral noong 2001 ay 30.6% ang mababa ang timbang. Sa loob ng 14 na taon ng pagsusuri ng timbang ng mga batang 0-5 taong gulang, halos wala tayong nagawa. Mabuti-buti na nga daw ay halos 3% ang ibinaba ng mababa ang timbang dahil mula 1990-2001 ay 3.9% lamang ang ibinaba ng numerong ito. Samakatwid ay nagawa yata sa loob ng dalawang taon ang hindi kaya sa loob ng labing-sa? Mali pa rin, dahil ang numerong ito ay porsyento. Kung akwtal na bilang ng mga bata ang pagbabatayan, hindi siguro masyadong nagbago dahil lumaki naman ang bilang ng mga bata.
Hindi na nakapagtataka na ang banggit ni Senador Ralph Recto ay gumagamit ng pamalit-ulam ang mga Pinoy — sa halip na gulay, isda o karne, ang iniuulam na ay toyo, kape, mantika, asin, asukal na pula, bagoong, gatas na malapot, gatas na pulbos, soft drinks at powdered chocolate drinks. Nakalimutan pa ‘ata ni Senador ang instant noodles na siyang pinakamalimit kaining pagkaing‘‘di-sariwa kasama ng sardinas.
Ang resulta noong 2001 ay mas nakakabagabag kung hihiwa-hiwalayin ang porsyento ng isa-isang taon. Sa mga sanggol na hanggang isang taon, 11.9% lang ang mababa ang timbang. Nguni’t pagtuntong ng isang taon, 35.6% na at pagdating ng dalawang taon ay 35.2% na ang mababa ang timbang. Maipapaliwanag daw ito, sabi ng mananaliksik, dahil bago mag-isang taon, mas maayos ang sustansiya ng bata dahil sumususo pa sa ina. Pagdating daw ng isang taon ay binubutaw na at hindi naman napapakain ng husay kaya’t bumabagsak ang katawan.
Halos nagkakaisa ang lahat ng siyentipiko na ang 0-3 years and pinaka-importanteng taon kapag nutrisyon at pagkain ang pinag-usapan lalo na sa pag-debelop ng utak. Kung dahil sa pagbubutaw ang pagbagsak ng katawan, dapat nga yatang iwasang ibutaw ang bata. Hindi ba’t sabi naman ng lahat ng lata ng gatas ay pinakamahusay pa rin ang pagpapasuso ng ina hanggang dalawang taon?
Noong 2002 ay naalarma na ang World Health Assembly sa patuloy na pagbagsak ng kalusugan ng mga sanggol at musmos. Nagpasa ito noon ng Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding at idiniing muli ang kahalagahan ng pagpapasuso hanggang dalawang taon at lampas pa. Itinakda rito na bawa’t bansa ay dapat magtakda ng target na dapat abutin upang maipatupad ang maayos na kalusugan ng mga sanggol at musmos.
Sinabi rin sa estratehiyang ito na dapat tiyaking hindi papalitan o hahayaang mabawasan ng micronutrients o anupamang supplements ang wastong pagpapakain ng lokal at karaniwang pagkain. Samakatwid, kahit may sangkap-pinoy na tatak, hindi dapat mapalitan ng chichirya ang tamang pagkain.
Ayon din sa estratehiya, dapat ay gatas ng ina lamang ang ibinibigay sa bata hanggang anim na buwan — walang tubig, am, pagkain o tubig na may asukal dahil ang lahat ng ito ay magpapabawas ng pagsuso. Pagdating ng anim na buwan ay dapat nang bigyan ng mga pagkaing likas na makikita sa lugar. Ilan dito ay mga karaniwang maitatanim at mapipitas lamang sa kahit maliit na bakuran — malunggay, papaya, bayabas, pipino, kalabasa, saging, mangga, talong, kamote, kalamansi.
Bawa’t tao daw ay maaaring makapuno ng lahat ng kailangang sustansya sa P29 bawat araw, pero marahil ito ay kung alam ang tamang bilihin. Sa katunayan, maaari pa ngang mas mababa rito kung may mga tanim naman kahit sa paso. Ang problema ay mahirap nang magpatubo ng halaman sa patay na lupa. Iisa ang pangbuhay sa lupa — huwag nang ibigay sa basurero ang nabubulok, ilagak ito sa lupa na may hangin, tubig at araw at magiging pataba ito o compost.
Dugtong-dugtong talaga ang buhay.
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