The Russia-Ukraine conflict may seem to prolong as ceasefire talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials on the Belarusian border proved to be unfruitful.
Despite earlier claims of Russian president Vladimir Putin that he will not invade his European neighbor, explosions were heard in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and several other cities last February 24. Days later, Russia then launched another attack in the country’s second largest city, Kharkiv. This is Russia’s biggest military aggression since World War II.
Evidently, many lives were already lost amidst the conflict of opposing forces, and we still don’t know how many lives this war will claim in the future. A lot of Ukrainian civilians were displaced from their homes and were forced to flee and take shelter far away from the Russian border.
But, aside from the innocent lives trapped in this hostility, there’s another victim of this conflict who remained silent all this time—properties.
Russia’s invasion took a huge toll on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. All of the bombing and explosions inflicted massive damage on the country’s residential buildings and bridges—there were even reports of Russian troops attempting to attack Kyiv’s largest water reservoir. Ukraine’s military infrastructure weren’t also safe from the Russian forces’ attacks.
Moreover, most of the construction contractors pulled off their infrastructure projects, as local workers flee for their lives’ safety.
While we are hoping that the heat between these two countries won’t escalate into more casualties, let’s take a look at the effect of war in real estate investment in the previous history.
Not a lot of research has been conducted when it comes to the effects of war in real estate industry. One reason is how the way people defined ‘war.’ The definition of war gradually shifted and broadened through times as the means of attack also changed from wide-scale and full-blown to isolated but deadly ones. However, we cannot safely say that there is no correlation between the two.
Let’s take the Second World War for instance. Also known as WWII, this conflict erupted when Germany invaded Poland which lasted from 1939 to 1945. The rivalry between the Axis and Allied forces killed an estimated of 70-85 million people and destroyed 70% of Europe’s infrastructure.
Despite the devastating effects, the demand for real estate, particularly residential real estate, surged up as returning soldiers were eager to make homes and start families after the war. Real estate value rose along with the demand for real estate.
On the other hand, let’s take a look at the September 11 attack. Also known as 9-11, the assault brought ripples into the Manhattan economic waters, particularly in the sale of vacant office lots. Posed as potential targets for future attacks, investors put a halt on investing in commercial establishments like this. In some cases, the cost of insurance premiums rose following the said attack, lowering the investment confidence from the tenants’ and investors’ perspective.
Though it is hard to put into actual numbers the effects of war in commercial real estate, the aftermaths can still be seen through these ways:
Aside from the physical threats, the real estate industry is much more concerned about another impending risk: cyber attack.
Other industries like finance, healthcare and manufacturing had their fair share of experiencing and combatting cyber attacks. And just like these high-risks industries, real estate industry is not immune to this threat at all. In fact, real estate investors and developers are starting to get wary of potential cyber attacks, especially in this technological age.
Real estate companies and agents utilize the power of technology, especially the social media to compete in the real estate market. While this is an efficient way to introduce and offer housing products and project listings, real estate companies are also exposed to different risks due to low-level or lack of preparedness against digital attacks. Outdated software and computer systems, limited password facilities and out-of-date network security are among those that may compromise many organizations.
Moreover, some real estate companies are outdated with the latest cyber security, which poses no stand against more sophisticated cyber attacks.
With valuable data—personal and sensitive information like social security number, contracts, login information, bank accounts and transactions, among others these investment firms hold, it is plain to see why cyber criminals are taking advantage of these vulnerabilities to steal sensitive data.
In order to protect clients from any suspicious activity, real estate companies should be well-informed of the threat and risks so that they can take precautionary steps to avoid falling victims to these kinds of cyber attacks.
Here are the basics: Cybercriminals investigate first about their potential victim’s data—background information, entry points and weak security measure—before launching a social engineering attack. It relies on human error and psychological manipulations—like gaining the victim’s trust or in reverse, stirring panic—to force the victim to reveal his personal and sensitive information.
Social engineering attacks poses as a big threat to real estate industry. Aside from strengthening network security and policy measures, real estate firms and investors should educate themselves about the types of attacks hackers will launch to easier combat them.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software with the sole purpose to extort money from its victims. Hackers will send out malicious messages or malicious code to potential victims purely with the intention of making them click on the included link. As the victim enters into the trap, the attacker gains access to the victim’s sensitive data and resources, encrypting them in the process. The hacker effectively blocks the victim’s access to files or computer system until a ransom is paid. Real estate industries need to be careful as these kinds of digital attacks are evolving and could shut down business or cause devastating company reputation damages.
Business email Compromise (BEC) happens when a cybercriminal penetrates into a business email account and commits identity theft. He will then send emails to other employees or companies and persuades them into transferring money or funds to accounts owned by the attacker. This is the most common form of cyber attack used by hackers.
The real estate industry adapts into using cloud-based services to store their data on the cloud. While this may be an efficient way to organize resources, it poses a potential bullet point for cyber attacks.
Hackers basically don’t need to access into your business, instead they’ll just need to penetrate into cloud vendors to steal data.
The consequences of cyber attacks shouldn’t be taken lightly. It could cost a lot of money to repair the damaging effects of cyber attacks. Here are a few:
Real estate companies doesn’t necessarily need to bring out lumps of money in order to protect their business. Creating a culture of awareness and presence of mind among the employees, especially from malicious emails and suspicious activities online pays a great help to counter future cyber attacks.
Here are some tips and reminders to help you curb the threats of cyber attacks.
The cybersecurity measures we have now in the real estate industry can be considered as ‘premature’ compared to other industries. Here in the Philippines, a total of 2, 778 cybercrime offenses were recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Although we aren’t certain which of these specifically targeted real estate industries, it is evident that cybercrime is another challenging task our nation and authorities face.
With that, the PNP Anti Cybercrime Group was formed last March 20, 2013 as a response to the growing number of cybercrime-related incidents. Though, the PNP admits that the country ‘has yet to enact and implement its own comprehensive anti-cybercrime law.’
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
With the pandemic restrictions at its lowest, people go out more often than they should as Filipinos commonly hang out with their friends and families at the malls and travel to different provinces (and other countries) because they simply miss appreciating outdoors after being stuck inside and having cabin fever for almost two years. The tourism industries have been booming ever since the hot dry season started a few days ago considering that the Philippines technically has two seasons and only one tropical cyclone.
Unless you’re rich and have every place that you normally go to before the pandemic, some of us are so bored and burnt out with online classes and work to the point that we wish there are fun things to do at home whether you live alone or with a group of people such as your family given that the cabin fever effect took a toll on us especially when the pandemic arrived all over the world. With the impossibly high temperature and high humidity, people are desperately finding new ways to cool off this summer season with a bunch of summer activities that they want to do.
So, if you’re in a rut and you don’t want to give into the summer rush of people (with Holy Week about to happen), here are some fun activities that you can do at the comfort of your homes either with your family or on your own while planning the places you want to go to when the rush is over and to check things off of your summer bucket list!
To keep yourself busy and entertained this summer, here are some of the summer activities that we think you’ll enjoy while you’re at the comfort of your home:
Who says coloring books are only for children? Coloring books for adults have been released and marketed as a way to relax and de – stress yourself because of the many details that need color! This is therapeutic because not only you get to be relaxed while coloring after a stressful day, but you’ll also be satisfied once you’ve finished a coloring page that you’ve been filling! There are so many adult coloring books for you to choose from — mandalas, animals, nature — and so much more!
While doing chores or working your way to finish your tasks or home works for the day, you should listen to an audiobook or a podcast! This improves your concentration and multitasking in getting work done and learning (or being entertained) with something new!
We know that decluttering things sound like a chore, but when you call a bunch of girlfriends (or a trusty friend) to help you declutter, it’s twice as fun figuring out what to keep, donate, and throw away!
Ever since the pandemic started, one of the things that people start to do more often is reading, whether you have a collection of physical books on your shelves for you to finish reading or a bunch of e – books to keep you busy on your phone or on your e- reader while waiting for quick errands to be done. Pick up a book that you’ve been wanting to start reading, pick a time that you’re free to read, and let your mind escape for a while between its pages.
With TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook bringing you more recipes that start – from – scratch to new recipes that came from your usual recipes that’s been stuck in your cookbooks or mental memories from your usual breakfast – lunch – dinner to snack food to drinks, there are a lot of ways to learn new recipes for your next dish, munch, or sip! So go on get your hands in action, a few things that you need, and motivation to get you started!
Stuck with the same old boring routine since the pandemic started? Don’t worry, here are some summer activities for kids for you to keep them entertained and busy all summer long so that you can not only make good memories as a family but also let your kids discover new skills that they can use for their future families and to increase your bonding time with them!
Learning a new recipe with your kids can be fun and enjoyable when you have messy hands to play with and kid – friendly recipes to put out to your kids busy so that they would know how to cook (and have good memories) when they have their own families in the future! After all, cooking and baking are fun when two heads are better than one, right?
One of the reasons camp outside is because some people want to learn how to survive in the wilderness (how to eat, drink, release physical waste out of your body, etc.), but at the height of the pandemic, we still think that camping out in your own backyard is a lot safer for now especially when the COVID – 19 cases are going crazy. Make some homemade s’mores, tell ghost stories, pitch up a tent, and enjoy home – cooked meals (and the CR) at the same time all in the comfort of your home! You might bring up more good memories with this outdoor fun!
Schedule a weekend night where everyone’s available, pick a family – friendly flick for everyone to watch, and enjoy the movie with some popcorn (or other homemade snacks or take out) so that even your older kids can join in the fun! Having a movie night with your family increases your bonding with your family plus you may share some laughs and tears with the people who wouldn’t judge you!
Bonding with your family at the pool, having fun swimming lessons with your kids, or just simply relaxing at the swimming pool after a hot and stressful day at work or at school are the plenty excuses to take a dip in the pool with a cool drink on one hand and shades on your eyes or to simply sunbathe by the pool and read your favorite book while sipping on lemonade!
From finger painting, clay painting, and using a bunch of things to paint at home such as vegetables and cotton buds to making friendship bracelets, making macaroni art, and messing up each other’s white shirts with paint all over, there are many creative ideas for arts and crafts activities as it increases your kid’s mental health and it’s a great way to bond with your kids even more! So get your paper plates, a bottle of glue, some sparkles, paint, paintbrushes, pipe cleaners, and your creative hands and let the art wars begin starting with that bird feeder that needs a makeover!
Alright, it’s time to put out your bubble machine and some water balloons and make a list of some water sports that you’ve been putting off such as water balloon baseball and water balloon tennis! Water you waiting for? The summer day isn’t going to last forever, so let the water fight and water blob begin to beat a hot day in the summer season!
No, we don’t mean playing video games all day. We mean some good old fashioned games when your parents were in their good ol’ days! Play charades, Pictionary, Scrabble, or some board games like Monopoly for some family fun!
There are other activities that you can do whether you live alone, with your family, with your spouse, or with your friends this summer that can make your cabin fever suck less and more fun before the rainy season strikes again! As Spongebob said once, the magical place that you can have fun and stay safe at the same time is through indoors! So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and plan some cool activities for kids (and for yourself and the whole group) to beat the heat before their next school year (and their next rainy days)!
Buying real estate properties is one of the safest ways to start your investment journey. Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable house and lots, and several condominium projects found across the country. If you have any questions or inquiries, our real estate brokers are here to help. So contact us today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube Twitter Instagram and LinkedIn.
2022 poses a positive outlook for real estate investment as signs of economic rebound are being seen. While the Philippine economy is still in recovery from the ongoing pandemic, experts believe that 2022 is a great year if you’re looking for a real estate investment opportunity.
Colliers, a notable investment management firm, listed down reasons as to why real estate investment is set for a return this 2022.
With the country’s effort to boost vaccination coverage, strict community quarantine measures are slowly being lifted as more and more people are getting protected from the virus. The country was placed in strict enhanced community quarantine at the onset of the pandemic, which implemented outdoor travel restrictions, only giving access to medical frontliners and other essential workers. But, with the government’s collective effort, the country is currently under alert level systems, which means that granular lockdowns are implemented only in areas with a high surge of cases.
As our society learns to live with the virus coupled with ease in restrictions, economic growth is expected to jumpstart in 2022. According to Collier’s forecast, office, residential, retail and industrial sectors are the ones who will benefit the most from this economic development. Consumer activity will spike up as investors flock the market. More businesses in operation equates to more demand in office buildings and commercial spaces.
Another thing to look at is the rise in demand for office buildings and spaces. Despite the work-from-home arrangements imposed by companies in the midst of the pandemic, some firms like outsourcing companies are still on the lookout for office spaces.
Colliers also stated that the rise and completion of major road projects like NLEX-SLEX Connector, North-South Commuter Railway, and the Central Luzon Link Expressway, along with other projects like the New Manila International Airport (or Bulacan International Airport) and the expansion of Clark International Airport will pave way to the raise of land values in neighboring provinces like Pampanga and Bulacan.
These macro improvements jumpstarts the Golden Age of Infrastructure as envisioned in President Rodrigo Duterte’s Build! Build! Build Program. Often dubbed as the administration’s ‘centerpiece project,’ this program aims to sustain economic growth amidst the new normal and improve the lives of the Filipinos, both for those living in the urban and rural areas.
Duterte also emphasized that the panacea for the decade problem of traffic and road congestion in the metropolis is to disperse road and major networks in the countryside.
With the growing confidence in the real estate market, here are some investment options you can venture into.
Take this opportunity to invest in real estate and convert them into rental properties. Rental property, in simple terms, is a residential—such as single-family homes, a duplex, or a townhouse or commercial real estate which includes office spaces, multi-use storages, and warehouses put up by property owners for lease.
Say you purchased a residential property- you can either use it as your primary residence or put it up for rent while waiting for it to appreciate in value. If you used a mortgage loan to purchase your property, the monthly rental income can be used to cover the expenses. After all of your loans are cleared out and your property investment has gained enough appreciation, you can opt to sell it out.
There are other costs of owning real estate, such as maintenance costs, facilities among others. Moreover, managing and keeping your residential property in good condition will require a lot of work and effort. One option is to hire a property manager or ask for property management companies to cover all the work for you, all the while you earn money from your renters.
Undoubtedly, some of you might worry about making investments outside of the city due to location and travel. Most of us have their jobs in the city, and traveling every day can be a tiresome task. But with these road and infrastructure improvements, investing in the suburbs shouldn’t feel as daunting as we have now a faster and more efficient way to travel in and out of the metropolis.
If you are looking for a property in the outskirts of the city, Vista Land International got you covered! Check out Vista Land’s Property Options in the Suburbs of Manila.
Unlike other types of investments, real estate investment is much easier to understand—it is basically purchasing physical property. Also, a lot of people are more familiar with it rather than the complex algorithms and concepts other investments rely on.
One key benefit of real estate investing is its ability to generate a steady cash flow. Real estate investors can generate money through rental income and property appreciation. Tenants pay for the property you put out for rent. Just make sure to do a good background check on your potential tenants to avoid missing rental pays or them not paying at all.
Also, investing in real estate can give you passive income generated in the form of rental checks.
Property value increases over time that’s why owning real estate is a good investment. After a few years, you can sell your property and expect a good return of finance. Just remember, appreciation isn’t guaranteed so choose wisely from your investment options.
Aside from financial gain, real estate investment can bring such a sense of fulfillment and control as you get ownership for your assets. It is a tangible proof of your labor and hard work. There’s nothing more satisfying and assuring than seeing your hard-earned money and your effort not being wasted.
When home prices in the market rises up, it basically means that your rental fees are going up, as well. Real estate investments are considered as protection from inflation as it can back you up financially. It basically keeps you up with the rate of inflation.
Your goal in real estate investing is to boost your cash. Investing in the right real estate will help you build wealth as properties significantly rise in value over a period of time.
You may ask yourself when is the right time to start investing in real estate. The answer is now! Vista Land International has a wide-array of real estate investment options you can choose from. Whether you are looking for affordable houses and lots, a condominium unit with a view of the skyline or a quality suburban estate, Vista Land got you covered!
Visit Vista Land International’s website at www.vistalandinternational.com for a complete list of their project listings to find which real estate property best suits you!
In conclusion, if you are looking for investment property options-as you should-this 2022, NOW is the time to take advantage of property investment while the market is on its way for a revamp. However, take note that with every opportunity comes with risks. It is important to do a thorough research about the real estate investment you set your eyes on.
Looking for an affordable property? Contact us today
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Whether you want to admire the view of your place while taking a sip of your coffee or tea or to just simply bond with your family and friends and you don’t have a patio, a balcony or a terrace with an overlooking view from your place is the perfect place for you to do that! But of course, we want what’s best for you, even if it’s about a portion of the house that is outside. After all, it’s not just the inside you want to spruce up, but of course, if you want to make your house beautiful, it should be the inside and outside that counts, right?
But here’s the problem: So you want to give your balcony a makeover whether you live in an apartment or house, but you don’t know where to look for a concept. Don’t worry, we got you with a bunch of ideas for you to design little haven of your perfect place as well as some reasons why you need a balcony (or any outdoor space)!
Let us tell you a couple of reasons why people think it’s an essential to have a balcony in their future abode.
For some, they want to feel the fresh air that flows freely along the house, apartment, or condo (along with house plants that can be placed on the sill of their balconies) that can definitely improve the air circulation of your living space. For others, they want a place for their loved ones to hang out, and having an outdoor space such as a balcony, terrace, garden, or a backyard does that! For many, they just want to enjoy having their food and drinks (or simply a book) outdoors and some don’t have the luxury to even have a terrace to enjoy the overlooking view from their place, especially if you’re the type of person who enjoys the viewing pleasure of the sunrise or sunset (or both).
Also, some people think a balcony is perfect so that the light from the sun can warm their place up (and so that you can have a place to lounge around without anyone judging you)!
Whatever the reason you may have in wanting a balcony or any outdoor space at the place you’re eyeing for, we’ve got your back with a bunch of decorating ideas to make your balcony feel more homey and inviting not only for your family and friends, but also for yourself!
Of course your outdoor space should be happy and conducive, so a wide swing, some interesting tile swatches, some wooden rafters and pastel – colored curtains for your ceiling and a small coffee table with some plants shouldn’t be a problem when you want to relax and lounge around on a lazy day with some pillows, right?
The highlight of every conversation starts with a round of drinks, some good food, some great company, and a view to remember, so having a wicker sofa that will fit three people plus a couple of small chairs and a small table is perfect for intimate brunch and dinner catch ups (and some laughs and memories). Add some throw pillows and a blanket of faux grass, and you’re all set for days and nights to remember!
For what it’s worth, you can go crazy with colors if you don’t want your balcony remembered as a Plain Jane. You can have a small garden by having some potted plants either on your balcony sill or you can buy a bunch of planters or a plant stand to put your home plants in, a colorful one – person sofa, and a small table that is perfect to get your cup of tea to sip on while reading your favorite book and relaxing to pass the time.
If you’re that person who likes yellow and white but don’t want to overdo it, then this design should be for you! Yellow and white planters making your house plants pretty while having wooden tiles will make your balcony feel like that it’s out of the catalogue! If you want it to have a romantic feel, put some string lights on your ceiling, and you have an instant romantic view with the plants! After all, your love grows where your rosemary goes, right?
With rattan furniture, a pinewood deck, and an elevation accent to enjoy the city view from your place, you can round up your closest friends for a tea (or coffee) time and gossip about the latest scoop while enjoying the free flow of the fresh air. Also, did we mention that you can put some house plants with this balcony design? Well, they go with it as well when you put some potted flowers and a dash of dried plants here and there while enjoying the bubbly catch ups you and your girls (or guys, we don’t judge) have!
A wall filled with different flowers of all colors plus a swing, a couple of pillows, and a string of fairy lights at night, anyone? Well, now you not only have an instant IG – worthy background, but it’ll also create a romantic atmosphere to feel with your partner especially with Valentine’s day around the corner while chilling in your balcony while sharing a bottle of wine for two!
Think about it: A minimalistic balcony space with a splash of color! This minimalist balcony design will have you screaming with yellow furniture and a bunch of flowers to go with while balancing your floor space so that you can move around and feel the fresh air within you!
Whether you want a quiet and peaceful corner to get away from a stressful day or just have a mini personal retreat and shut the world out, it’s important to escape and let your mind run wild while you’re in your balcony. And what’s better if you decide to splash on some yellow paint in a bright shade, add a swing, and a couple of pillows and a coffee table with some flowers that vine out on your ceiling?
We’ll tell you what: It’s a wall of sunshine with a bunch of flowers and you relaxing on your sunshine wall with a drink on hand and a book on the other!
If you feel classy and have enough balcony space, you can install a bar unit, some bar stools, and even some wine and beer glasses (and maybe stock up some alcohol and spirits) so that you can create the ultimate bar experience at home without going out and spend so much just for a round with your family and friends for your future intimate get together! All you need is a 5 – star hotel music to complete the vibe, and you’re good to go in relaxing after a stressful day at work!
When it comes to creating your own safe little haven, you need to make sure that you know what kind of aesthetic you’re going for and you also need to consider if the weather is going to agree with what you’re doing especially (when storm season hits) as a lot of people tend to be particular in decorating their own balcony that won’t ruin the effort. You don’t need to make a dent in hiring top notch designers; all you need are your interior design skills, a crafty mind, some inspiration, and lots of ideas from furniture to decorations in order make your own balcony — well — you!
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that is still respected and used by many today. Not only is it important for the Chinese community, but this practice has spread worldwide and influenced many other cultures, including the Filipinos. With a wide Filipino-Chinese or Fil-Chi community, it’s no surprise that the philosophy of feng shui is still practiced by many households.
This ancient blend of art and science was developed some 3,000 years ago in China. “Feng” means wind and “Shui” means water. Both are symbols of good luck and health in Chinese culture so feng shui came to mean good fortune. The philosophy seeks to find balance and harmony between the five elements. It puts importance on physical and mental state, an abundance of success and prosperity, and happiness in relationships via a positive energy flow or the “Chi” with the help of the elements.
This ancient practice goes beyond the Western notion of aesthetics. Good feng shui is often referred to as the art of placement because it is all about positioning the different elements in your space to maximize the Chi. While the principles of this philosophy often apply to many aspects of life like how to attract prosperity, invite wealth, maintain good health, and an abundance of positivity, feng shui is still more commonly practiced in interior design.
Feng shui divides the world into five main elements: wood, metal, earth, water, and fire. Each element is as important as the one before or next to it, which is why the goal of the practice is to balance the five. Some people say that when they have a room that “doesn’t feel quite right”, they try to redecorate and move appliances so that the elements are more balanced. Below are the five elements and some daily tips and tricks on how to harmonize them.
The wood element symbolized growth and vitality. It encourages personal growth, promotes creativity, and strengthens intuition. Be careful not to put too much or too little as both can make you feel overwhelmed on one hand or stagnant on another. Use shapes that mimic the vertical, growing shape of tree trunks and the softness of leaves and flowers. The most common interior designs for this include wood furniture, fresh flowers and plants, cotton, and other natural fabrics.
The metal element symbolizes logic and intelligence. It boosts knowledge and mental sharpness and also supports logical thinking and mental clarity. Using too much metal can make you overly critical while using too little can make you too cautious and lack focus. Use round or oval-shaped furniture, anything made out of iron, aluminum, gold, or silver, rocks and stones, and white, gray, silver, or light pastel colors.
The earth element symbolizes stability and balance. The ground can help ground you in every aspect of your life. It can also affect your physical strength and overall feeling of being grounded where you are right now. Using too much earth element can cause sluggishness while using too little can make you feel disorganized and unfocused. Use square or rectangular shapes, earth-toned colors, low and flat surfaces, and images of landscapes.
The water element symbolizes wisdom and serenity. It helps with clarity and relaxation and harmonizes your spirituality and emotions. It can also bring about inspiration, insightfulness, and wisdom. Using too much water can make you feel unstable when it comes to your emotions while using too little might make you feel lonely and isolated. Use black or deep and dark tones, reflective surfaces like mirrors, asymmetrical shapes, and water features like aquariums and fountains.
The fire element symbolizes passion and energy. It represents transformation, expansion, and enthusiasm. Using fire can encourage boldness and expressiveness, which can be a good thing if it’s balanced out. Too much fire can manifest as anger, aggression, and impulsivity while too little can cause lack of vision and emotion unavailability. Use candles, natural sunlight, shades of red, pink, or purple, electronic equipment, and animal prints.
The most common tool in feng shui interior designing is the bagua map. The map helps create and analyze the chi in any given space and will help you figure out what elements you need to balance everything out. A Bagua map has nine quadrants and each has an element and color associated with it. The nine Bagua quadrants in a feng shui home are Love, Family, Health, Children, Wisdom, Career, Wealth, Fame, and Helpful People.
The traditional map is defined by a compass direction but for beginners, you can use the Western version unless you want to hire a feng shui expert to do it for you how it was meant to be done. The Western version simply divides your house’s floor plan into a grid. The easiest way to do this is to overlay the Bagua map onto your house or space’s floorplan. The front door should always be facing south and should align with one of the three bottom squares in the quadrant.
To promote a better flow of chi into your home or space, there are some tricks for making a good but simple feng shui home. Each quadrant should be decorated with its designated element and colors to have the correct energy flow. Some basic tips include things that you probably already own or have laying around somewhere in your house. First up is making a good front door as the door to your house is the first layer of attracting good energy inside.
Clear the space and clean it as well. Cleanliness is next to godliness, after all, and it makes you feel so much better to have a wide and open space where you can think and breathe and relax. Make use of a crystal or stone to amplify good energy. Make sure the air and natural light, both natural elements, can easily get in easily. Place your bed and desks facing the front door to increase power and decrease vulnerability. Lastly, add natural elements as much as you can like plants, a fireplace, or maybe even a water fountain.
You don’t have to apply feng shui principles and use the Bagua map on your entire house. You can also choose to stick with smaller spaces, especially ones that you always frequent or stay in for prolonged periods. This can be your living room, kitchen, bedroom, home office, workspace, dining area, or wherever else you fancy to help you with having a good energy flow, prosperity, and luck. Below are some tips on how to decorate some of these smaller spaces.
Begin with the largest piece of furniture in the area and make sure it is against the wall and faces the front door or any opening. Avoid sharp angles for tables and other furniture as much as you can. Do your best not to cramp the space too much so that conversation between people can flow as easily as the chi. Use sheer or light curtains to allow the sunlight to come in. Place plants and two elements or more like fire and water.
Similar to the living room, start with the biggest piece of furniture, which is most likely the bed. Place it far away from the doorway without it facing in that direction. Avoid a fill of electronics in your room as much as possible, including a television set. Choose soft-colored linens to balance out wood or metal bed frames. Throw in earth tones to create calming energy and throw out clutters under or beside your bed to help with the energy flow.
A home office can be difficult to decorate because you are always tempted to leave the clutter since you think they are all important. It doesn’t have to be a disorganized mess and everything can go to its proper place without cluttering your desk. As much as 50% of your work desk, the space you use the most, should be clear. Place the desk facing the door for a wealth of power and productivity. Place personal objects like photographs and add in plants and more earth tones.
For more updates on the latest trends like these, visit www.vistalandinternational.com, home to the biggest realtor and real estate developer in the Philippines. It is the number one property developer in the country and is trusted by millions of Filipinos and OFWs. Find your new home and start creating the positive energy you need in your own space.
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Another Lunar Year, another year of spreading good luck and prosperity for everyone around us! Every Chinese New Year, families prepare round fruits to attract financial abundance, clean and cleanse their houses for good energies, wear anything that is red for good luck, and cook Chinese dishes so that you can be transported and actually celebrate in China. Others go outside to see the annual Dragon Dance, enjoy having their names or any word written in Chinese, take pictures with the Chinese blossom trees and other Chinese backgrounds, and enjoy the Chinese street food along Binondo. There are so many things some people do when they follow the Chinese Lunar calendar, right? We know that you can use all of your senses in these scenarios, but let’s focus on one thing here: We’re here in the year of the Tiger again!
Being the third animal sign of the Chinese Zodiac signs, people born in the Tiger years will probably get unlucky this year because they are often mistaken in offending the God of Age, which brings bad luck. But it also means that it’s a year of possibilities and prosperity. Well, we got your back as we tell you the things that you need to do (and have) for good luck and fortune and what not to do so that you won’t be jinxed this Tiger year!
People who are born on this animal sign are people who are born on 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and this year, which is 2022. According to Chinese Astrology, Tiger Year started last February 1, 2022 and it will end on January 23, 2023, marking the end of the Metal Ox year. People who are born on the year of the tiger are strong and brave because the Tiger is the king of all beasts and it symbolizes strength and bravery, chasing the evil vibes out!
Come on, let’s meet the Elemental Tigers, and see how they are!
Yeah, that’s what this year is all about: The Year of The Water Tigers! Water Tigers have a strong sense of self – esteem and learning ability, making them feel confident and eager to learn anything and everything that they’re interested in! However, they’re also discreet and don’t want to stand out, but they trust their instincts as they are under the Water element, taking in the change that they’re bracing themselves for as they are in a tight spot between the extremes.
We’re pretty sure if Water Tigers are wild, then Fire Tigers are wilder with their optimistic and independent spirit. With their highest expectations of having the best results eagerly, Fire Tigers eye for the best things and events that want to happen because once a fire tiger achieves something, they always achieve for something more with optimism. But beware of their lack of self – control — you might just get burned out while they’re achieving something!
With their compassionate and open personality, Wood Tigers are ready to share their world with you! Wooden Tigers tends to share what they know and what they experience (by detail) so that you’ll have either shoulder to cry on or an ear to give you a listen whenever you’re stuck in a rut or you need a cheerleader to support you in whatever you’re doing!
Earth Tigers are usually grounded because they’re realistic about what’s going to happen in the present and future and they also have good faith in you! If you have friends who are Earth Tigers and Wooden Tigers, then you have a solid support system along with the fact that they’re adventurous so that you can not only make memories with them, but you also get a whole new experience and a journey of a lifetime!
There are two types of Golden Tigers: The enthusiasts and the headstrong. Women born in the year of the Gold Tiger are enthusiastic and they also are happy in what they are doing while males who are born in this tiger year tend to be feminized because of their stubbornness and and indecisiveness, but once you knock on their heads and get them on track, their streak will never run out!
So you’re born at the year of the tiger and you’re not sure what to do to attract good luck and good fortune, that’s okay. We’ve got you with a bunch of things that will bring you luck and what to avoid whether you’re born at the year of the tiger or not!
Ever want to know your future without second guess yourself in every aspect and hire a personal fortune teller? Worry not! We’ve got you with these 2022 predictions that will get you a head start in everything you need to know, whether you’re aiming for a career, love, family, or relationships that will head your way with your horoscope!
Since Water amplifies the main force, health, and what’s important for a Tiger’s spirit, it’s recommended to place Tiger statues or Feng Shui deities that represent wealth in your home and office to attract good fortune, health, and wellness. Since tigers are eager to do anything, they are willing to get out of the way to achieve something even it means they will be sleep – deprived. It will help if they go on trips with their families and friends and play some light music on. The only issue that they’ll have to face? Major spending. So they need to be extra careful in managing their work play balance so that they’ll get the best of both worlds.
The lucky Northwest direction is the zone target if you want to level up your career development or you just want to expand your wealth in the long run this year as 2022 is the recovery period filled with promising changes, better developments, and new positions for most Zodiac and Animal signs, especially for Tigers. They can be promoted if they’ll be proactive with their work. But this year isn’t a good one to make a big jump on career change, and they should put their plans in doing so on hold until next year.
Okay, so 2022 will be the most rewarding year for the Tigers because their wealth comes from their careers, so concentrating on their career and making a breakthrough in their career life shouldn’t be a problem! You can also support your main income by putting a creative idea of your own into a profitable opportunity and you can also make a huge sum of passive income by investing in share markets and crypto currency! But take note that you shouldn’t be aggressive or anxious to broaden their business ventures and that you shouldn’t take risky investments.
Also, Tigers have a problem with overspending more than what they have, so you should find ways on how to be meticulous with your financial management this year as well as making financial decisions because one indecisive /fickle – minded move can make you crash and burn with a massive financial loss. Display the Brass Five Element Pagoda Tower to avoid this heavy financial loss as well as carrying a set of Bat Lock Coins to increase your cash flow.
Okay, hear us out: You might want to be careful if you’re a single Tiger this year because you might direct all of your energy into your career life (and eventually get carried away!), it might be hard for you to find a partner who is compatible with your energy. But pay attention to the Mid – Autumn Festival, single Tigers! Who knows — you might just meet the one for you and you just have to wait for it a little more!
In terms of interpersonal relationships, Tiger people can extend their families and will also go through a happy period and a chance to go through less serious issues with their life partners this year for those with a love life, whether it’s a serious relationship or marriage. But take note that communication problems will happen at some point, which can be solved easily.
Being in the Water Tiger Year can be the period where most people recover in every aspect of their lives that are affected by the pandemic. A lot of things can happen in this Chinese year such as unexpected expenses, more success, financial luck, and a better future. Whatever happens, it’s better safe than sorry to an extent that you attract the good things if you’re careful with your cards, right?
With that, we want to wish not onto our Chinese and Filipino – Chinese brethren and friends, but all of you a happy Gong Xi Fa Cai as we face another Lunar Year with more abundance and luck for the year of the Water Tiger!
There are many ways to boost immune system against viruses. On the whole, your immune system does an amazing job at keeping your body healthy and functioning. Every single second of every single day, they fight to defend their host — that would be you — against disease-causing microorganisms. However, no immune system is indestructible. It needs a boost in order to keep working well.
The human body was made to withstand and adapt to countless environments but sometimes it fails. A foreign bacteria or virus invades and the body has no idea how to respond, hence, getting sick. It can also react unnecessarily and cause what is called autoimmune diseases. There are ways to help prevent this from happening and some of these methods are harder than you might expect. Read on below to know more about boosting your immune system.
The idea of an immune booster is enticing. But unfortunately, our human body is more complex than that. Immune systems are just that — systems, and not individual parts. For them to function well together, fight inflammation, diseases, and infections, each part needs to be protected and boosted. Scientifically speaking, there is no proven direct link between lifestyle and immune function, and yet, experts still recommend a healthy lifestyle to boost immunity.
This just means that more data and studies are needed to know more about the complexities of the human body. In any case, living healthily could help keep each individual part of your immune system healthy and make it work better as a whole. Plus, healthy methods also provide other great benefits for the body apart from keeping it healthy. Try any (or all of) these healthy-living strategies and see for yourself.
You may have already heard this countless times, but fruits and vegetables are the best foods you can ever give to your body. Experts believe that the body absorbs vitamins and minerals more efficiently via They are nourishment that can give you energy, aid in heart health, digestion, antioxidants, and an overall better result for your body. In addition to this, you can add a more well-balanced diet with lean protein and healthy fats.
Physical activity and exercise have many benefits which include improving blood circulation, weight loss, and a boost in good and happy hormones. Plus, you get to build muscles and help yourself destress when you exercise regularly. By helping overall blood circulation, it makes it easier for immune cells to travel more easily throughout your body. As little as 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise regularly can help boost immunity.
In case it wasn’t already common knowledge, water is vital to human survival. Not only that, but it also plays an important role in keeping all organs of the body functioning well, hence, supporting immune systems. A fluid called lymph in the circulatory system carries important infection-fighting immune cells that are largely made up of water. Without enough water, the movement of lymph slows down and can lead to an impaired immune system.
The human body’s sleep cycle is an important part of being healthy. If you give your body enough sleep and rest, all your organs can function properly. There are also other important things happening when your body is not active. For example, infection-fighting immune cells are created while you snooze away. Experts recommend a good 8 to 10 hours of sleep every day, preferably during the nighttime.
Nobody likes a sleaze. Bathing frequently, washing your hands, and keeping your garments help keep away bacteria and virus-causing diseases. With the pandemic still making rounds all over the globe, one of the most effective pieces of advice from experts is to practice proper hygiene. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water can kill the COVID-19 virus before it has a chance to infect you.
Stress can build up over time and it can affect your health more than you imagine. The body has something called a stress response when it has been under too much chronic stress. Your stress response is also more commonly called your fight-or-flight response. Unfortunately, having this response constantly also means suppressing your immune response. Try to relax as much as you can and reduce stress with meditation, deep breathing, exercise, hobbies, or whatever lets you unwind.
Vaccines have been around for a long time, but not long enough that history has forgotten just how much they would have been useful against plagues. Vaccines teach and protect your immune system to be smarter by making it recognize and fight off certain disease-causing microorganisms. Even the common cold during cold and flu season can be avoided. A kid’s immune system is usually strengthened with vaccines at an early age.
Like most fighting forces, the immune system army marches on its stomach. Science has long proven that impoverished communities with malnourished children and adults are more susceptible to infectious diseases. A diet with processed foods is no better either, which makes people more prone to heart disease. Without a healthy diet and the proper vitamins and minerals that will help keep a healthy immune system, the body’s organs cannot function properly enough to keep your body healthy. Below is a list of some foods that could help.
Plenty of people flocks to Vitamin C when they are sick as their first line of defense and for good reason. Some studies show that Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections. Citrus fruits are rich in this vitamin. Choose from grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, clementines, and a few others. A recommended daily intake of 60 to 90mg of Vitamin C is recommended with the upper limit of 2,000 mg per day.
Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and lettuce are high in vitamin A. This particular vitamin is important for immune function. Green veggies are also rich in fibers which aid in digestive health. Boosting immunity using this delicious “rabbit food” can also be fun, as you make varying salads with them. You can combine them with fruits, meats, nuts, and other foods you fancy. They go well with almost everything.
Yogurts with “live and active cultures” on their label can help build up immunity and good source for Vitamin D. Greek yogurt, for example, has cultures that can stimulate the immune system to help fight off infections. Plain, unflavored, and unsweetened yogurts are your best option. Pair them with some fruits, a drizzle of honey, and a good serving of your favorite nuts, and you have yourself a healthy meal with tons of Vitamin D, C, and a bit more.
Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids which is a type of antioxidant that helps in boosting our immune system. Green tea has an abundance of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to boost a healthy immune system. While black tea and other types of teas are considered fermented foods because of the process that makes them, green tea is only steamed so it retains most of its EGCG. Green tea is also abundant in amino acid L-theanine, which can help fight off disease-causes germs in the T-cells.
There’s a reason why people reach for chicken soup when they have illnesses. Not only is it comfort food for many, but it could also help lower inflammation and infection in your body. Poultry like chicken and turkey can help strengthen a healthy immune system because they are high in Vitamin B-6. This particular vitamin is vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells.
Walk into any grocery or health store and you will find bottles of pills and herbal supplements that promise all sorts of healthy immunity against infection and illnesses. Although many of them deliver at least half of their promises, you still need to be careful as a consumer. Scientists have yet to prove that any of these supplements actually work. Hence, the disclaimer on the advertisements and the pill bottles. However, there are some brands that have been trusted for decades by millions of consumers.
Unlike medications, herbs and supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. While there may not be concrete evidence that they can help boost your health or improve it, there are plenty of reviews, firsthand accounts, and witnesses that will tell you they work. It will be up to you if you believe them and take these supplements at your discretion. Together with these supplements, consider keeping up with the lifestyle habits above. Consult your doctor if you have questions.
An immune system disorder happens when your immune system doesn’t work the way it should. There are multiple reasons why this is happening. Sometimes, people are simply born with a weak immune system, and this is called primary immune deficiency. Sometimes, people get a disease that can weaken the immune system and its functions, which is called acquired immune deficiency.
An all-to too active immune response causes an allergic reaction such as asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis. An immune system that turns against you is called an autoimmune disease like AIDS caused by the HIV virus. An unhealthy lifestyle may also exacerbate your symptoms of weak immunity.
Your health really is part of your wealth — for the rest of your life. When you stop taking care of your body, you risk weakening your defense, your immune system. Vitamins and nutrients will help protect your immunity but pairing them with exercise, proper hygiene, enough sleep, and hydration will increase your chances of fighting against illness and diseases.
For more lifestyle articles and updated news, visit www.vistalandinternational.com. This website belongs to the top land developer in the Philippines that engages in real estate properties. If you’re looking for your next investment, visit the Vista Land website and see if they have your next dream home.
Buying real estate properties is one of the safest ways to start your investment journey. Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable house and lots, and several condominium projects found across the country. If you have any questions or inquiries, our real estate brokers are here to help. So contact us today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Let’s be honest: Saving money is one of the most important resolutions we make every New Year, but gets constantly broken because of all the things that our friends and random people on the Internet have been recommending (aka budol), because we do impulse buying to uplift ourselves from situations and emotions we’ve been feeling (especially for many of us during the pandemic), or simply because of the annoying unexpected expenses that show up on our bills that made us shell out our money (which is a bummer). People have been looking for ways to save money, whether it’s from YouTube, testimonies from other people through social media sites, or looking for ways to stream passive income. Whatever the story you have with money, don’t worry, we have our own too! And saving money doesn’t actually require you to have a financial advisor, but basic money saving skills that you’ve learned from your piggy bank days, and that’s where the Ipon Challenge comes in!
Since 2013, The Ipon Challenge has been around social media websites at the start of each year to teach everyone the importance of saving money, and it has proven effective all the time because not only it teaches everyone about personal finance in a nutshell, but also to be conscious about the financial habits one person has in a financial situation. The downside of this is that when it becomes challenging around the 10th week, you might be tempted to get Thor’s hammer and smash your container so that you can buy whatever you want to buy, so you need to have a strong mindset and self – control for this challenge.
Think you’re up for a challenge? Well, whatever it is you’re saving for, it’ll be worth it when you do the Ipon Challenge! Think you’ve done the previous Ipon Challenges and want to continue again? Or is it your first time? Because this year should be your year to take your game on to this year’s 2022 Ipon Challenge!
To give you an idea about what this challenge is all about, you initially deposit a certain amount for 52 weeks, and you would see how much it would grow based on the Ipon Challenge chart. This money saving challenge has been modified constantly so that everyone can join, whether you’re married, a single working adult, a college or a high school student who is saving up for the things he/she needs to spend on, or a grade school student who simply wants to practice the value of saving enough money (and having your own savings account).
To give you an idea to what we’ve just said about the flexibility of this challenge, here are other versions of the 52 – Week Ipon Challenge that will fit to everyone’s need and situation:
Pegging as the One Man Show, this money saving challenge is for working adults who are single and who want to set around P50 in weekly increments in order for them to earn approximately P68,850 (or more if you want it to go on!)
Financial freedom and security doesn’t have to start a World War III when you guys come up with a way to save money for living expenses and having an emergency fund, and that’s where this challenge comes in! With a specific amount that married couples have to set in order for them to save weekly in increments, this money saving challenge will not only teach couples on how to spend money wisely but to also manage your budget properly together. After all, we all know two heads are better than one, right?
They say that the way to achieve something is to start early, and saving money should start early! Suitable for kids, teenagers, and for those who have freelance gigs such as being a freelance writer, this money saving challenge serves as a head start for people who want to save money for the near future for as low as P10 – P20 for a weekly increment. Hey, we know it’s low at the end, but what matters is how you start saving money so that you would have more money for financial security (and something for you to shell out whenever you have a financial emergency) in the near future!
Want to go beyond your 52 – Week Ipon Challenge to save more money and double your gross income? Then here are other Ipon Challenges that you should join to get step up your money saving challenge to the next level:
This money saving challenge is for anyone who is working, whether you’re a minimum wage earner or someone who earns around six or seven figures in your account. This challenge lets you set aside a part of your monthly income every month in order for you to save even more! Though this requires a calculator and a template for you to keep track of your money (and a bunch of mad Math skills to follow this formula):
Savings for the month = base amount + additional monthly savings (month % x monthly income)
where:
We know that this is challenging, but when you do this challenge gradually, saving money becomes not a chore, but a fun and rewarding thing to do!
For those who receive their salaries on the 15th and 30th (or whenever a company has a bi – monthly salary scheme), then this challenge may be a treat for you! All you need is a piggy bank (or a savings account) and a free printable template for you to track your money twice a month! The rules are quite similar to the 52 – Weekly Ipon Challenge, but it’s more lenient because you get to set your own base amount (and you get to deposit along with your bonuses), and plus the more you save money in this challenge, the more rewards you’ll gain when you’re on your way to not only your financial goal, but also to your financial freedom!
If you think the 12 – Month and Bi – Monthly Money Challenges seem overwhelming for you because of the number mind games you’ll be dealing with or you’re simply starting to save money, then this challenge is for you! You just set your own base fee for your increments each day (around P10 or more, but not more than P20,000) and you just see how much your money grow everyday to see the importance of saving money for the future! All you need is an alarm your phone at any time of the day for you to put a certain amount in, and you’re all good!
Whether you’re saving up for something (house, car, or anything you want), teaching people the value of saving money at an early age sets not only an expectation on what you’ll have for your future, but it also saves you from debt and it’s a safety net for you to set an emergency fund for a financial emergency that needs to be solved! Having a savings account and a savings plan is a rewarding experience for you to be financially independent, especially with a lot of resources that you can find on the internet from Thea Sy – Bautista’s videos on YouTube to Adulting Millenials on Spotify that will not only let you find ways to save money, but on how to manage your financial security properly that your future self can thank you for!
To have the best financial habits in order to be financially secure (and to have extra money), here are some financial tips for you to follow through so that you can make the most of your financial independence:
Using coupons and gift certificates is one of the most practical ways to save money (and to get sweet deals and freebies that are worth the steal!) Now you know why being an adult is exciting when someone gives you gift certificates or coupons!
Having a Buy Nothing Day, Week, or Month can not only value the importance of saving money, but it will also let you see that overconsumption is actually an issue, especially when you’re making big purchases!
We know that a lot of us want to fill up our stomachs with something to eat, especially when all of the employees from different companies try to beat the lunch rush to buy something just to get through the day! But did you know that by bringing your own lunch beats the in joining the lunch crowd and saves money from your piled up expenses? Well, you can thank us later for mentioning this!
Before spending those brand new pair of shoes or a brand new set of clothes for your #ootds, compare these same items from different brands (and restaurants) before making a choice. After all, it’s a win – win situation when you get something that is worth your money and worth the quality, right?
Whether you came from debt or just want to spend within your means, don’t spend more than what you can (especially during Christmas and birthdays) and try to collect loose change so that you can put it in your piggy bank or savings account! We all have financial goals to achieve, and so should you!
Saving money can be challenging, especially if you’re saving yourself from a financial downfall. Believe us when we say that it’s hard to earn money nowadays, but with these money saving challenges that pop up around online, you would not only learn the importance of having financial freedom, but you also learn to invest on the things are on your budget and have nice quality. Whether you’re saving money for your retirement, your first house, your new car, or anything that you’d like to invest on, you need to know that aside from having a job, saving money is a thing for you to learn in order for everyone to know not only the importance of saving money, but also to avoid debt (especially in making a big purchase) and in order to achieve your savings goals for a particular situation!
So what are you waiting for? Save that peso, buy things that are within your budget that have nice quality (and treat yourself to something nice once in a while), and let your money grow with these money saving challenges now! Your future self will thank you for it!
Buying real estate properties is one of the safest ways to start your investment journey. Here at Vista Land International, we have a roster of affordable house and lots, and several condominium projects found across the country. If you have any questions or inquiries, our real estate brokers are here to help. So contact us today!
Vista Land International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vista Land International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
As we hit 2022, more design trends have been popping since many of us decided to take back different retro styles that will make the older generation reminisce simpler times and making it aesthetically pleasing for the younger generation for their eyes to enjoy! Many graphic design trends arise thanks to the graphic designers that reintroduce these aesthetics for everyone to appreciate and to break even more boundaries! As the colorful retro styles arise, so do minimalist designs to tone down the clash between the loud and the pop. Others reinvent and combine aesthetics to not only have a gray area between the past, present and future, but to also play around the colors, shapes, and sizes so that a lot of people can choose!
Ever thinking of redesigning your place but don’t know what style you’re going for? Or have you been looking for some inspiration but overwhelmed with so many options people, Facebook, or Pinterest have been giving you? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back with lots of designs and styles for you to try out this 2022 that will get you to stop manifesting and actually do it based on the different graphic design trends that pop up all around!
Suggested Read: How Do You Maximize Storage in a Small Condo?
If you’re planning on elevating your house design this year, then you can look into these interior options from these styles that will not only step up your home design game, but will also make your home a timeless piece of beauty:
If you’re a big fan of shows and movies like Stranger Things and IT, then having a 90s vibe should be a sweet talker for you to take a trip down memory lane with a loud neon color palette, simple internet frames, popping fonts, and many more for a retro 80s – 90s vibe (minus a time machine)! See this: Lots of drips with loud colors, checkered black and white floors, mixtape drapes, and more pieces that will remind you the good ol’ days! Think it’s too much for you? Then we have the Grunge Revival and Intricate Maximalism for you to choose from!
Before you tell us about a time that your parents say that you can’t draw on your walls, wait ’til you hear us out with this home design! With bright and neutral elements to mix and match, you can literally draw with your hands and a can of paint (or do some digital designing, print them, and put them on your walls) and let your imagination run wild and free (like it did when you were a kid) with all the shapes, colors, and patterns you can think of! After all, anything can go beyond your wall canvas (and you’re the boss of everything), right? So start doodling on your daydreams, and let your mind free itself!
Representing itself with identity and communication, having parametric patterns on your walls (and in your home) with geometric shapes, elements, and patterns can be relaxing and refreshing when you feel like like you want to walk into your own office. Setting a style and vibe of practicality with neutral colors and geometric shapes, this home design will make you feel as if you’ve stepped in a museum and office into one place with minimalistic furniture, a balanced space, and 3D shapes for you step into the future!
When minimalism plus a splash of a color palette meet, Frasurbane happens! Nowadays, minimalism doesn’t run on just black and white, but in other color coordinates as well! This style has all the rage as many people want to color their world while balancing space and having matter at the same time! With a balance of the sophisticated adult and a playful child, anything can happen beyond your canvas as long as you create beautiful color splashes and establish pieces that describe you being at two stages —an adult ready to face the world and a child ready to break the rules and create something out of the box!
What do you do when you don’t want to waste so much space? You maximize it, and Intricate Maximalism makes sure that you make the most out of your space using shapes and patterns that scream through the roof with pieces that clash with your usual aesthetic to make your place loud and fly like a super sonic boom! Go ahead and unleash your loudest self within you with a color palette that will let you scream and designs and pieces that will support a design revolution of a lifetime!
Whether they want a fresh start or a redo, people redecorate their houses so that they their color palette can be refreshed once in a while. Trust us, everyday is a new idea, but it’s not everyday that people call house doctors and interior designers to do a house makeover aside from moving furniture and sprucing it up beyond the walls and its corners, isn’t it?
When you decorate your house every year (or once in a while), you not only get a different vibe and atmosphere to feel the aesthetic you’ve put together, you also get to develop your sense of creativity as more graphic design trends find inspiration from the old and new to create other elements and patterns out of your screens real time! From muted colors to abstract shapes, it’s no wonder we thank the universe for graphic and interior designers to put modern twists in retro styles and contrast color shades that clash your usual classic style to create unusual patterns, hues, elements, and shapes that will make you thank your sleepless nights for passing your art classes in style!
House designing is a challenge everyone must be up for when change is the only constant thing in the world. From finding and getting to know your aesthetic that speaks with you to taking the risk with one swipe of a brush or a sticker to plaster on, going beyond the canvas and breaking what the artist made is how one should design a house when going crazy with colors, shapes, graphic elements, and many others on the list.
In wanting your house to be interesting as the next person’s, you should never stop in finding and creating your own inspiration in making your home design a dream come true! After all, it isn’t a bad thing to change your house design the way you want it and the world’s an oyster; go ahead and make your dream aesthetic happen and go crazy! Your interior designing heart and creative soul can thank you for not making a regret!
Buying real estate properties is one of the safest ways to start your investment journey. Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable house and lots, and several condominium projects found across the country. If you have any questions or inquiries, our real estate brokers are here to help. So contact us today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
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Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) work hard outside of the country so that they and their loved ones can live a comfortable life. Whatever hard-earned money they have should go to whatever the OFW deems a good investment. Whether that’s a physical property in the Philippines’ real estate market, rental property, property management, stocks, or some other assets that they can invest in.
After all, many OFWs would agree that they do not want to work abroad forever. Having a “retirement plan” in case they are unable to go back to work is always a good idea. Real estate investment is one of the most popular choices but it isn’t the only one. There are other types o investments you can choose from depending on your budget and goals.
Before investing in something, you must first understand what an investment means. According to Investopedia, an investment is defined as an asset or item that is acquired by an individual or group of individuals with the goal of generating income or appreciation.
In other words, when an OFW invests, they are hoping to get double or even triple of the money they have put in. To start investing, there is one fundamental thing you will need: capital. That can be in any form such as money, real property, or anything with great purchasing power. The Philippine economy is a good place to start looking for your next investment as an OFW.
The Philippines is a country of many riches. Many of them are natural resources that have been used — and sometimes misused — to sustain civilization. Due to the richness of the land, the country has attracted the notice of many foreign land investors and developers. These assets have led to investments of all kinds from both citizens and visitors.
When it comes to investments, OFWs are some of the most active ones. They are generally the type of people to make contingencies for their families and they typically have greater purchasing power because of their bigger incomes in the form of foreign currency. Is it a good idea for OFWs to invest in their own home country? That depends on how well their investments pan out. The good news is that the odds are pretty good. Millions of OFWs have invested in their home country and have gained a lot from it.
A lot of people find the idea of investing daunting. The most common reaction is being scared of getting scammed out of their hard-earned money, losing their entire retirement fund, not knowing enough about the economic growth and other concerns. These are all valid and should be addressed properly by professional investment advisors or mentors.
To a degree, investors must be educated to understand what investing means. This does not mean that you need a master’s degree in economics, though, because as they say, experience is still the best teacher. To avoid scams and other schemes that might endanger your money, OFWs must do their best to understand everything about their investment.
From the company’s legitimacy, their agent’s trustworthiness, the predicted return of investment (ROI), the possible loss of capital in case things go sideways, and so on and so forth. At least some basic background would be incredibly helpful for an OFW investor before they deposit more money into what they think is a profitable investment. Knowing these things might also help the OFW determine which kind of investment would be best for them. Below are some options you might want to consider.
Many OFWs tend to lean towards real estate investments. Whether that investment is in vacant land or condominium units in a busy central business district, real estate is a tangible asset. Investors can see it, go to it, and oversee it themselves. However, many OFW real estate investors make the mistake of buying a property that is not ripe for selling, house flipping, or making any kind of profit, making it an idle asset.
There are usually two moves that real estate investors do once they have started investing in properties. They either have the property rented out or wait until the value goes up and sell it. The former generates income more frequently and steadily if you are able to find tenants who will stay for the long term. The latter will procure an ROI in a larger sum of money depending on your payment terms. The investments can also be done through channels like a PAG-IBIG fund and regular PAG-IBIG savings.
The stock market is a vast one, so much that it is on a global scale. While the ROI is more than rewarding, the risk is also equally high. Investing in stocks generally has one rule: buy low and sell high. This means that as an investor, the OFW must buy stocks at a low price and play the waiting game until they can sell them at a high price.
Knowing the fundamentals and investing properly can help manage your risk of losing your stocks to the ever-fluctuating market. There are also plenty of online trading platforms like the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that can help OFW investors learn the basic concepts of stocks and trading. Some stockbrokers also cater specifically to OFWs which can allow them to open an account remotely and learn more about the stock market.
Suggested Read: Cost of living in Metro Manila
Mutual funds and unit investment trust funds (UITFs) are pooled investments. As an OFW, you can start participating in the investment for as low as PHP 1,000. There are so many choices for investments that it can sometimes be overwhelming. Luckily, many local banks have allowed for UITF accounts to be set up online if you already have an existing Philippine bank account, like BPI and BDO, or a UITF account, in the case of Security Bank Philippines. Mutual fund companies are also abundant in the country and you won’t even need to make a personal appearance to set up an account.
Active participation is not required in managing mutual funds and UITFs. A professional Fund Manager will manage your investment and do all the work of monitoring your funds, unlike keeping track of the stock market daily by yourself. All you really need to do as an investor is to put in the money and wait for it to grow. This is a good choice if you want to diversify your investment portfolio.
Perhaps also one of the most popular choices of investments, not just for OFWs but for everyone in general, is a business franchise investment. If the business does well enough, it might generate the cash flow you need to stop working abroad if you decide to use it for business purposes and not just an investment. If not, it is still a good way to put your money on for a rainy day, also known as an emergency fund. One catch with investing in a franchise business is being hands-on.
This means heading the business yourself and overseeing the day-to-day operations. You can also choose to transfer ownership or management to someone you fully trust such as family members while you are abroad. Still, you have other options, such as investing your money in a business that is already running full-time and nailing down the specifics of your ROI for the investment with the owner. In any case, investing in a franchise business is a good way for OFWs to learn how to become entrepreneurs — a skill that might come in handy in the future.
Real estate is one of the most preferred investments for OFWs. Many workers are cramming to get to the nearest remittance center to send money for their real estate properties. One of the reasons why it is so popular is because property and home are tangible assets compared to bonds, stocks, mutual funds, and other paper assets. If not as your and your family’s home, your real estate asset can serve as a home to others. All the while giving you back the investment you put in.
OFW income is comparably higher than middle-class professionals working in the country. This allows them to invest in better properties because they have bigger capital. Apart from this, real estate also has the most potential for capital appreciation. Buying a property at a lower price and selling it for a higher value is the goal of every investment and real estate usually delivers. This is also due to the fact that property values only tend to increase thanks to urbanization.
Sure, there are other investments out there that will benefit OFWs, but none so much as this. There are many moves an OFW investor can make to make the most out of their real estate investments. Flipping houses, short-term rentals like AirBnBs, long-term like condo units, or selling the property can pretty much guarantee an ROI that can sometimes go as high as triple or quadruple and serve as a large cash reserve.
Year after year, the number of OFWs increases. They are considered our modern-day heroes because they have sustained the country’s economy for decades. They work hard and long hours, selflessly and with full determination, for the daily expenses of their family and to prepare for a better future when they come home and retire. Investing makes these goals possible. It means putting away your money now in order to enjoy them better later.
However, as enticing as all of these sound, investing is still a risk, whether it is in the real estate industry or in another form. Before doing anything, be sure that you as an OFW do enough research and have a good financial plan, and maybe even a financial adviser. Be sure to choose and work with a credible real estate developer to ensure that your money is in good hands.
On real estate investing, Vistaland International can help you find the perfect real estate investment opportunities. They have everything from affordable houses and lots to commercial properties to quality suburban estate. There is a wide range of communities to choose from, whether you’re looking for a home or looking to provide one for another family. Visit their website and project listings to get a glimpse of what Vistaland International can offer.
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