How To Pay PLDT Bill via Citibank Credit Card?

I have been amazed how online transaction saves me more time from prepping, commuting, queuing, and extra expenses when I have to pay our utility bills. It is now more of a click button at home to complete the bills payment through online transaction.

For today, I wanted to share with you how I pay our PLDT internet bill via my Citibank credit card. Other than the convenience of being at home, I also learned that I am earning rewards point by doing this. By the way, I am using the Citibank Rewards Card. Check the type of card you have with your Citibank to determine if this feature is the same for you. Different types of cards has different features.

Google photo

Steps:

1. Check for the link sent to you via SMS from PLDT Home. Every month they sent out an SMS reminding me my due. But if there are none for current month, you can still use the same link from the previous months.

2. Once you click the link, it will take you to the internet link. Make sure that you are connecting through a secure link - there is the https. Enter your PLDT 10-digit Account Number.

3. Once entered and submitted, your full details will be displayed along with the amount due. There is an option for you to pay whether in full or partial. Though I haven't tried to pay in partial. The minimum amount for payment per transaction is PHP 200. Tick marked the conditions. Click the type of payment. For me, I chose the Credit Card.

4.And then you click which type of card. Whether it is a Visa or Mastercard.

5. Next display is that you enter your credit card credentials.

6. And then the confirmation if you have entered the correct credentials.Always verify the information you have entered.

7. After clicking OK, enter the One Time PIN sent to your listed mobile phone number.

8. Submit. Your payment is now complete.

9. You can also send the confirmation through your designated email address for reference.

Hope this post helps. Bye for now. :)

How Often Should We Replace Our Pillows?

We've been wanting to buy new pillows for a long period of time. And we've always wanted Dakki's pillow. Truth is they are expensive for someone like us so we keep on putting it off until yesterday. But they are proven to be durable.

I've read somewhere that pillow's frequency of replacement should be around 1 to 2 years. Why? Because the study shows that pillows absorbs body oils, dead skin cells, and hair. Also, over time, it also attract dust mites which feeds on our skin. They are not dangerous but for people with allergies, these little creatures can be unsettling.

Signs When We Should be Replacing Our Pillows:

• Noticeable lumps on the pillow or filler
• Noticeable permanent stains from body sweats and oil
• When you wake up with aches and pains particularly on neck and shoulders
• When you wake up sneezing from dust mites

I was raised to have these pillows brought out under the sun from time to time. But the rule of thumb is to wash them regularly like every 6 months. Maintaining them properly, they can last up to 10 years.

I'll be honest though, we don't do that. It takes us around a year before we wash those pillows. What we regularly do is that we replace bedding and pillow cases every week. Why? My daughter has a history of asthma so it makes sense to weekly wash every thing in the bedroom and replace.

How to Take Care of Our Pillows?

• Fluff the pillows daily to maintain the texture and the filler intact
• Put on a pillowcase to guard the pillow from stains
• Wash regularly. See the pillows care card for detailed instructions.
• Make sure to not get it wet so avoid molds and bacteria. If it gets wet, air dry the pillow.
• Dry the pillows under the heat of the sun every three months to remove unwanted allergens
• Do not use plastics to store the pillows. This might trap moisture which can cause mold or mildew grow.
• Keep pillows in a breathable bag.*

Yesterday, we decided to go to the nearest outlet and while we are choosing new pillow, I was introduced to the concept of selling items of Dakki. Why not?

I am already into selling stuffs online. An additional source of direct selling is always welcome. Since, we bought 2 pillows, instead of applying as a member and paying the registration fee of 350 pesos, I was approved for free membership. Below are the content of the new membership kit:

 * Dakki Pillow 
 * Catalogue 
 * Marketing Plan Brochure
 * Membership Card 
 * 1 pc. Coded Form 
 * 2 pcs. Non-coded Form 

I sign the membership form and was given an ID on the same day. 

To learn more about Dakki, here is the link: http://www.dakki.com.ph/dakki-How_to_Earn.html

The form to be a member can be downloaded from the same link.

Okay, got to post more photos online and sell. Bye for now. :)

ctto: google photos

ctto: *https://www.realliving.com.ph/cleaning-organizing/home-care/7-ways-to-take-care-of-your-pillows

How To Protect Oneself from Identity Theft

11 Missed Calls!

Honestly, who would want 11 missed calls from different numbers on a daily basis? It is annoying right? Not just that, seeing 11 missed calls makes me a little nervous as I scroll down the numbers listed. Of course, if it is coming from my mother, I wouldn't wanted to missed that call. Yet, it turned out, the calls are coming from companies offering credit cards, cash loans, auto loans, and others. Had I still been my old self, I would probably grab one those offers, especially when I had loans left and right. But, the new version of me who has learnt the hard way has finally identified that the interest I will be paying for the loans should not come to total waste of money.

I've been answering the calls whenever I get the chance and had been declining those offers and balance transfers and all they say is "I will note it here". But in the next few days, calls are still coming in. Do you experience the same thing?

There are many reasons why I don't give in to these calls, personally.

1) I am not sure if these are even legit.

2) I don't give authentication details to these calls. I only give the information if I call the hot line itself.

3) I avoid phishing and texters. Online dictionary defined phishing as the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Texters on the other hand is through the use of sms or text messaging.

4) I am not confident with how they handle information.


5) I do not know how telemarketers works. But it is bothersome on my part. Anyone knows how to block these numbers?


In these digital age where our information is available through the centralized information systems of the banks, credit card institutions, and government, it also makes us prone to all these fraudster and our information being stolen.


We have to protect our identities and our hard earned money. We have to be always vigilant and careful with sharing our personal information. Fraudster are always on the look out of opportunities to be able to get money or your identity to steal money in your behalf.


1. Limit how much information you share. Never share your personal information such as your middle name for men and maiden name for women. Your birth date. Your mother's maiden name. These are often use to authenticate ourselves for our accounts.


2. Scrutinize the received e-mail. Fraudster sends email and lead us to click a link which may compromise our Internet security and privacy. If in doubt of an email, do not hesitate to delete the email immediately. Or if you receive suspicious email, it is always a good habit to call the institution hot line to verify and confirm if the email is legit. 

3. Properly dispose the important documents which contains delicate information such as your name, mother's maiden name, address, security numbers, birth date, and other pertinent information. 


4. Use caution when shopping in stores or dining in restaurants. Sometimes, you will be ask to fill up some survey, be careful with the information you share. Also, when using your credit cards to pay your bills. 


5. Safeguard your mobile devices. This is pretty straight forward. We've witnessed how a stolen phone can be easily access by the thieves and used the credentials in your behalf. Even a broken phone with details can be compromised.


6. Always monitor the financial and credit statements. It helps if we always check our bank records to be able to identify any anomalies and unknown transaction. Otherwise, if it is already a certain period of time ago, if you plan to dispute, it will no longer be honored.


7. Stay alert. 



Note that I do not discount all calls. There may be calls which are legitimate. Trust your instincts.

ctto: google photos

How To Pay Meralco Bill Using Citibank Credit Card?

Uh-oh!

Yes, I still have my credit card with me until now. I started using one when I started working way back 2005, I think. Like I detailed on my previous post. I am horrible to spending using this plastic cards. Later on in my life, I can say, that finally, I have fully understood how to effectively handle and manage its use.

To this date, I no longer have carry over balance. Had been successful at it for over 3 years in a row now. And it felt so good not wasting my hard earned money on interest and late charges. Instead I am gaining even more by having some rewards points and converting it to purchase on grocery.

Just few months back, I have learned how to pay using credit card to pay our Meralco bill (electric bill).Going to any payment centers and lining up seems a big hassle for me nowadays. What I did was I called the Meralco hotline 16111 and ask if I could pay using credit line instead through online, and they informed me that it will only take 2 to 3 banking days to reflect the payment on their end.

Because I have the Citibank Mobile application on my phone, I immediately, studied how to pay for it. Below are the steps by steps procedure I took to pay online.

1). Check your Meralco Bill. What you will need is the ATM/Phone Reference number. This is the unique code you will have to enter and is located at the bottom left part of the bill.

ctto: google photo

2) Go to you Citibank Mobile app and select the payment tab.Once you selected the payment tab, go to the All billing organizations and choose Meralco.

3) It will take you this page where you will input the ATM/Phone number reference and then hit Next.

4). Enter the amount to pay. You can also add some notes. Hit Pay. Note that on this page, it states that it may take 5 to 7 working days to reflect payment.

4). It will ask you to confirm your payment.

5). When done, the online transaction will state that it is on Pending on the transaction list.

The following day, this will now be reflected as Mobile Bill Payment - Meralco.

Done. Note that, for the Meralco bill, I cannot list it as recurring monthly bill since every month the unique code changes.

Win. win. I get to pay the bill at the comfort of our home with few clicks and I get reward points.

Oh, by the way. I only have one credit card right now so I can only write about Citibank. You can navigate your Credit Card's feature if you wanted to pay online. I hope this helps.