Take it or Leave it!
ADVICE NI TITA LITS
Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe
Dear Readers: I have been doing this Dear Tita Lits column for several years now, and my past two (2) columns (letter from Maryjane of Tokyo, and Alice of Fukuoka) were the ones which have generated a lot of reactions from readers from various countries. Letter from Maryjane of Tokyo: JP has already published readers’ comments/reactions to the letter of Maryjane. Maryjane came to Japan without good education and worked as an entertainer. Now in her 40’s she continues to work in the evenings, because she can earn better than other jobs she has tried and found out that her friends working in those other jobs (maybe like doing obento?) became fat and old because they need not take care of themselves anymore. The biggest problem of Maryjane was the feeling of shame she sensed from his son, who was not proud about the work of her mother. I received a “pahabol” reaction from Pinoy-Canadian from Toronto, who calls himself Lolo Henry, who got to read Tita Lits’ advice to Maryjane: “Hi Lita. I read your advice column quite fast a few days ago and now while relaxing after dinner, I read it again slowly, digesting my food and at the same time the essence of your advice. I must say that you were born to do this - very impressed with the very practical insights you shared with MaryJane calling a spade a spade. I am so entertained with your conversational Pilipino. Parang nakikinig ako ng radio kay Tia Dely nung araw sa probinsiya. Hopefully, one of these days, matelevise sa Ngayon, Bukas at Magpakailanman yung one of your advice stories. Until the next issue - Tita Lits, from Lolo Henry.” Letter from Alice of Fukuoka: Alice was the reader who asked for advice on what to do with her three (3) credit cards from which she seems to
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have been addicted to using, especially when she feels lonely and gets the highs when she goes shopping uncontrollably, using her 3 credit cards which she also flaunts in a sense, to her friends, as if these 3 cards uplift her image and dignity. This column also generated many readers’ reactions/comments. Not all are as inspirational to Tita Lits, as the one given by Lolo Henry above. Like the one below: “You always give good, sound advice like this. But why do you this? If you are doing it to promote your business there may be justifications. But if you are doing it just to help others, I suggest you reconsider. It takes up a lot of your precious rest time and I guess gives you lot of stress. If it does not stress you, by all means go ahead.” - Mr. M, one of the top 40 richest Filipinos. “Very well written Ma! Great advice to a serious problem. Some people talaga just don't know how to handle money, and I like how you addressed the discipline side but also the (potential) psychological side”. - JC (my son), Philippines “I hope she realized everything you said. But go and advise directly - maintain only one card (she cannot do as you, I believe). (And my hats off to you!). Or do what the other guy did who gave up all cards. It has become a very, very dangerous habit - spending galore. Advise her to sell all her branded etc. etc. etc. and give up all cards (except one) (actually if she is serious, give up all). I don’t think she can do what you are doing. I can’t. We only use one card not desiring more annual fees. Yes, she has to be diligent in tracking her expenses and curtailing expenses after having spent her limit- monthly limit of expenses she should impose on herself. The best for her is one-time payment only. Finances will be easier to manage and control without the interests plus keeping your finances in order (not everyone is like you). Just thinking
though...these Pinoys with CC- They can all read the monthly statements and expenses (Nippongo). Great! - Marilyn Nii, Tokyo “Good advice, Lits. Palagay ko, maraming mga Alice dyan.” - Milu, former banker, Philipppines “I hope this will help...The key to using credit cards is discipline and self-control. Know your limit. Don't spend more than you earn. Pay on time to avoid late fees, penalties and exorbitant interests. Get credit cards that don't charge annual fees. Find credit cards that give back or offer cash back instead. Use credit cards for convenience only. I'm proud to say that CC companies never made money from me. I collected from them instead.” - Ras, United States “If you work in a school, you would be a very good guidance counsellor”. - Milagros T. Manalastas (my mother), Philippines “Personal finance experts spend a lot of energy trying to prevent us from using credit cards—and with a good reason. Many of us use credit cards irresponsibly and end up in debt. However, contrary to popular belief, if you can use the plastic responsibly, you're actually much better off paying with a credit card than with a debit card and keeping cash transactions to a minimum. When you need to make a purchase or pay a bill, credit cards can offer both convenience and the potential to save money if you're earning back some of what you spend in rewards. At the same time, you can also use credit cards to build credit history through healthy financial habits. “Credit cards can help you build credit, but they can also work against you if you use them incorrectly. When comparing cards, be sure you understand what you'll pay in interest and fees, as well as what you stand to gain from any rewards and other card benefits. Once
