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Jeepney Press : Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe
Take it or Leave it! ADVICE NI TITA LITS
Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe
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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 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 you begin using a credit card, check your free credit reports periodically to make sure your account activity is being reported correctly. That can also be a good way to spot potential fraud or identity theft if your card is ever lost or stolen.
Credit cards are best enjoyed by the disciplined, who can remain cognizant of their ability to pay the monthly bill (preferably in full) on or before the due date. If you already know how to use a credit card responsibly, shift as many of your purchases as possible to your credit card, and don't use your debit card for anything other than ATM access. If you do, the combination of rewards, buyer protection and the value of cash-in-hand will put you ahead of those who pay with debit, check or cash.” - Bert G., Philippines
“Hi Lits. Read your column. Alam mo opening statement pa lang you made Alice feel you are with her. Feel ko ang empathy at sincerity. To that is very powerful. You were able to address her issue and pointed out probably root of the problem yet you still left her to make the choice. You were able to inject the faith dimension in a very subtle way. Para sa akin napakagandang closing yun. Galing... 2 thumbs up.” - Nela, Medical Doctor, Philippines
“I have to share that I was a writer or columnist (but far from a journalist) for a Pinoy newspaper here in LA. It was more entertainment than news. We had comic strips, articles, some news, etc. Our target market was Pinoy business here in LA. I was the first editor of the paper since I was co-owner. Another partner was in charge of graphics and the art. Our staff was contracted in the Philippines but we printed and circulated in LA. We were popular to the community. Anyway, it was a fun run until the recession of 2007 hit the USA. I had a crazy column ala Dear Abby (and my pen name was Dr. Phil Osopo, M.D. (Mukhang Doktor). It was a column like yours but this one was all kalokohan. We talked about anything from love, relationships and sex advise in a funny way. We were a crazy bunch. And the Pinoys here loved and were always in a look-out for our news magazine paper.
Anyway, I thought I share this cause you may be wondering why I freely chimed in when you asked for comments. Back then we had the “secret formula” to capture eyeballs. Let me show you an article I once wrote meeting Jo Koy. Do you know him? Look him up. I was probably one of the first if not the first to write about him in the Pinoy community here. Now he is a huge star. Those were the crazy times.
You are welcome to put my name. No need to reference my past though. I just shared to you so you get an idea where my comments come from.” - Jay Ortega, California, USA
“I agree to your advice, Tita Lits.” - Erwin, USA
“I don’t use credit card, I don’t have credit card, kasi wala akong pambayad he he he, siguru Alice cut mo iyong credit card mo, para wala ka nang pang shopping. Discipline, budgeting lang talaga. Personal opinion ku lang po....walang magagalit...” - Priscilla, USA
“Ms Lita, good evening po. Maganda po yung column ninyo because you can give a motherly advice to OFWs who are in Japan. Somehow it provides a level of comfort for the OFWs. I hope the Philippine Embassy acknowledges your noble act of caring for Filipinos who are longing for affection. More power to you Ms Lita.” - Belitte, former banker, Philippines
“Very good advice Lits. For me budgeting your monthly expenses is important. We cannot shop dahil sa emotion natin. We need to stop for what we need and not what we want. Maybe sometimes we can surprise our self but not always.” - Elaine, United States.
“Hi lits!
1) Siguro gupitin nya muna ang dalawang credit card nya until ma fully paid nya ang utang nya doon total pwede naman sya request ng replacement if nakaahon na sya sa utang nya. Iwan lang sya ng isa yong may medyo mataas ang credit limit nya for emergency purposes.
2) Direct deposit nya salary nya para automatic payment nya i-deduct ang payment nya sa card nya. Mapipilitan syang i-control ang expenses nya dahil automatic deduction - agad ang bayad nya. Apply sya ng loan na mag pay off ng credit nya at doon nya i-apply ang auto deduction ng pagbayad ng bills nya.
3) Huwag sya dala cc if labas sya para di sya mapilitan gumamit
4) Ipagbili nya sa on line/e-bay ang mga signature nya mga gamit para ipambayad nya if may bibili. Ganyan ginawa ng kakilala ko na same ang problem sa kanya.
5) If may kilala sya na magpautang sa kanya para bayaran nya credit cards nya at doon sya magbayad ng ibinibayad nya sa cc nya (if may makita sya which is malabo)
6) Iwas labas with friends or sabihan nya mga friend nya ahead of time, hati hati sila sa gastos if labas sila. Maging honest sya sa kanila baka ma-understand sya.” - Lolo Henry (Henry Tacorda, Canada)
“I have read the letter and your reply. You do sound genuinely willing to help and give logical and level-headed advice. Nasa tao iyan if susundin or kayang gawin ang advice mo. Hindi madaling gawin! Had d sane problem when I first got to Stanford University. It did not take me long to realize and card charges have to be paid sometime... Dream ko nga noon card na hindi binabayaran! hehehe! Bago natapos the first term, ginupit ko na yung card and only went shopping when I had cash!” - Violy Laraya, Philippines