GreenBucks

A few weeks to go and it would be the “ber” months! This means Christmas is near! Yipee!

Though of course this season means a lot of traffic, a lot of expenses and parties! I am sure holiday invitations are being readied right now.

Maybe it it time for me to learn to bake new goodies to be given away for Christmas, just like what I did last year.

I am excited already 🙂

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I hope you won’t get “umay” with my muffins 😀

Below are banana bread slices and banana muffins with chocolate chips of course. Still home baked and best when eaten warm.

Have a fun Friday!

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One of the more lucrative jobs, in terms of commissions, would be in sales. Notwithstanding the hurdles one would go through starting this career, the benefits I see are good.

Of course, it is not just about having a glib tongue which will make one successful in this choice of career. Hard work, determination and drive are some of the key strong points to master which can also be said true to other career choices.

Attending sales training is also one way to improve one’s capabilities.

In everything else, tact and respectfulness are two ways to start the ball rolling with potential clients.

Me? I may not have the “it” to become a salesperson but I definitely know a good buy when I see one 🙂

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The other day, I was listening to colleagues talking about investments.

One was explaining how her mother was able to earn a lot before the stock market started plunging. It was a very wise decision through the advice of a futures trading person that they trusted to handle the sizeable amount.

Of course, investing in the stocks market during these days does not necessarily mean can earn or even get back what has been invested.

Another one further explained that some banks have investment managers who will take care of the money a client will entrust the bank to be able to get a monthly interest that is quite higher than those regular banking transactions.

Hmmm…but the thing is, this is still questionable especially since the market is vulnerable right now.

One thing for sure though, no matter how one will invest his/her money, now is the time to live within one’s means. After all, a penny saved is a penny earned.

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Today, my family and I went to attend the Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer Cancer Walk at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila.

Breast cancer is what claims the lives of women ages 35 – 54 worldwide. The Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia . That in itself is an alarming piece of information.

The question usually that comes mind when these things affect a family member, particularly the mother is, “What would happen if I die?”

There are different ways to answer this questions and that would depend on how the parents, particularly mother has raised her children.

It is my belief that parents should teach their children about responsibilities of taking care of themselves and of their family members. Who else would, should do that, help each other but family?

Some try to secure the financial aspects of their family members by starting to get life insurance quotes that will help them in times of need.

There are those who draw their will for the family members even if they are still strong and young.

Much as we do not like to discuss this topic, we will all face the end of our journey here on earth so it is best to leave everything taken cared of.

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To be a victim of phishing is not a pleasant experience for anyone involved with any online transaction.

To be a victim of online identity thefts is definitely not pleasant.

There have been stories of people, bloggers and non bloggers whose online earnings or savings accounts have been violated and their monies victims of theft.

So how should one protect his online accounts?

• When suspicious emails arrive and there are links to open, check first if the links are legit. Put your cursor over the link and see what is being seen in the browser. If these are not matched, then it is suspicious and might be fraud.

• Now, why would you open a mail that asks you to confirm about an item that you ordered when you know you didn’t order anything? That is suspicious too.

• Change your passwords every now and then, every two weeks if need be. Go for passwords not associated to you and use letters and numbers and characters in the password. Do NOT store these passwords in your computer.

• There are identity thieves that use keystroke-logging software to know the usernames and passwords through emails, freeware and yes, instant messaging.

• Be careful when downloading anything from unknown sources for these files may contain malicious software programs that might be accompanied by spyware.

• Do not respond to emails requesting for your personal information.

I remember this episode from Psych, one my favorite (very funny) detective tv series. They were in a speed dating club and had to sit with other people and get to know them by asking questions. Shawn noticed that one woman’s questions were different. She was asking about these things:

• hometown where the guy grew up
• mother’s maiden name
• favorite color

So naturally, Shawn’s interest perked up. They finally got this woman and her husband who was also working in the dating club for identity theft.

These are just some of the things one has to look out for in order to protect online accounts. I am very sure there are a lot more different ways these thieves have that will enable them to do their illegal activities.

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I did not write these things because I assume I know everything. I wrote these things as a reminder that I too, need to beef up what I need to do to protect myself from identity theft.

If financial institutions and government offices have been victimized, we can be too. I hope not me, of course.

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