Who am I and why should I be showing you around Baguio City?

I have been living in Baguio for the past 25 years, give or take the eight years that I went to school in Manila and the 6 months I spent in the capital working in a call center. After exploring my options, I have settled down in the city of my birth.

Baguio’s hilly streets and cool weather invite comparisons to San Francisco or Seattle. The climate is moderate throughout most of the year, with the exception of the rainy season that normally starts in June. During December to January, temperatures can drop to as low as 9 degrees, making it the one of the coldest places in the Philippines.  The primarily cool weather most of the year is a welcome relief from the hotter temperatures in Luzon. A lot of Filipinos escape the notorious summer heat every summer to bask in the colder climate here.

Baguio’s many universities and English as a Second Language schools make it a young city full of students. Many businesses are family owned and most of the action takes place in the central business district, Session Road. The Road was so named because former members of the Commonwealth used to hold their summer sessions at the top of the road.

Think of Baguio as a small town the size of a city. It has many qualities of a nice small town with accompanying urbanization.  It is a great jump off point for backpackers who cannot wait to explore the mountains of the Cordilleras. Mountaineers also come here before going off to conquer Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon.

Getting to Baguio: Easy Routes and Easy Trips

Baguio is about 240 kilometres from the Philippine capital of Manila, usually a 6-8 hour ride when passing through the main highways the NLEX and SCTEX. Since the SCTEX opened in 2009, travel time can be as short as 4 hours.

Victory Liner terminals are found in Pasay City and Cubao.  I do not really trust the other bus lines and find Victory to be the safest of them all.

Ordinary bus rides to Baguio leave Manila every hour or during holidays or times of great traffic, they can leave every half hour. They usually say it is a 7 hour trip but because of the unpredictability of Manila traffic and the strange habits of some bus drivers, it can take as long as 7 hours. Make sure you bring a blanket or bundle up for evening and night trips, I am pretty sure they deliberately lower the temperature down to arctic level.

If you want the best trip possible, I highly recommend taking the deluxe bus trips provided by Victory Liner. For a little bit more than the ordinary bus fare, PHP 715 one way, you get a roomier bus with a bathroom. The money is worth it just for the seats, no kidding. With your 715 pesos, the bus has no stopovers and they usually make the trip in less than 6 hours. Midnight trips can be even faster, with buses getting to the city long before their arrival time. The only downside to this service is you cannot reserve tickets by phone. You have to get the tickets in person. My usual trick is to get my return trip ticket as soon as I get to Baguio so I do not have to worry about the hassle.

If you have more than enough time, you can also try getting to Baguio by car. For those looking to experience the true Philippine highway and the accompanying adventures while driving, do take the time to rent a car and meander down the highways.

You have got to be a pretty good driver. Swerving tricycles and kuligligs (mini trucks that look like carts without oxen) are the least of your worries. Philippine drivers are worse than those in Rome, so driving here is kind of suicidal.

The upside is this: the ride is pretty relaxing, the view is spectacular and it is a wonderful way to bond with your buddies.

Once the cities and billboards fall away about an hour or two from Manila, you will be rewarded with pastoral fields straight out of paintings. The mountains are nothing to laugh at either. I personally love watching the golden-green fields and counting the water buffalo, known locally as the carabao. By bus or by car, the view is super worth it.

Make sure you have an international driver’s license, which is good in the Philippines for one year for countries like the US. Right hand drive licenses are normally valid in the Philippines up to 90 days. Check with your embassy for the requirements. The Philippines requires an English language license which you can easily request from your embassy before or during your trip.

Location, Location, Location: Finding a Place to Stay

It is better if you secure accommodations before even getting to Baguio.

Baguio is a high traffic tourist spot and it is not uncommon for me to see people camping out in their vans or wandering around Session asking for vacancies during peak season.  Not a great start to your trip. If you are lucky, you might get a place but you will not get the best for your money.

Be a little wary of the hotel hawkers too. The normal experience goes something like this: you get off the bus and get accosted by a swarm of guys advertising hotels and transient houses. These guys get a cut from the hotel so you may end up paying a little bit more than normal. Get rid of them. Only use them in times of great desperation. Like the spur of the moment road trip.

Because of the high tourist traffic, there are a lot of places to stay in. If money is tight, consider going to Baguio during the off-season, when most hotels slash their prices by half. Market prices and souvenir prices are also very low. High season usually starts in February and goes on until the rainy season in June.

I’ll break down the usual places you can choose to stay in here in Baguio. If you are travelling in a large (say 10-20 person) group, try a transient house. Transient houses are normally vacation homes rented out during the year for daily, weekly and monthly rates.

If you prefer to cook your own food and would like the comfort of a home away from home, a transient house would be the best way to do so. Most are located within the city limits. Take note, the further away it is from town, the cheaper it is going to be.

Check out [baguiotransient.com] for listings of available places and locations.

Tips to follow when renting a transient house:

• Ask if it is furnished (you may have to bring your own bedsheets!)
• Ask if cooking facilities are available.
• Make sure the facility has hot and cold running water. You do not want to take an ice cold shower in the middle of December, believe me.
• Do not be afraid to haggle for group or discounted rates, especially during the off season.
• Some transient houses have cars and vans for rent, which can be really convenient for you. If you are lazy to drive, ask if they will also provide a driver.

There are a lot of different hotels and inns around Baguio city catering to the professional and the tourist. Here are a few places I have stayed in and would highly recommend:

PNKY Bed and Breakfast – Cozy, comfy, clean and worth the money. They have 4 rooms that can accommodate 3 to 6 person, depending on the room. The hotel also features reading areas, a gazebo and other nifty spots for relaxation. I hang around the area like a bat even when I do not stay in the hotel. They also have a cute little cottage. Prices vary per room 2600 to 6000 PHP per day depending on room and season. By the way, their set breakfast is awesome!

Check out this bed and breakfast at [www.pnkyhome.com/pnkyhome]

Consuelo Center for Leadership – This is a great place for groups or families looking for quiet spot away from the city to spend a vacation. Beautiful gardens, spacious parking and wonderful homey bungalow style architecture greet you as you drive or walk in. It is a bit far from the city (about two jeepney rides or a PHP 45.00 peso cab) but well worth it for those who like to have their vacations in peace. Room rates range from PHP 650 for per head for the rooms up to 3500 for the cottages.

Visit their website at [http://cfspi.org.ph/sections/SERVICES.html] or call 074 445 3800 to inquire about reservations.

Casa Vallejo – Once an abandoned hotel that inspired ghost stories and encouraged break-ins, Casa Vallejo is now one of the premier places to stay in Baguio. Situated right in the heart of the city, the place is elegantly designed and roomy. Prices range from PHP 1,500 off season to 3,699 for the double queen rooms. There’s a spa right next door and a wonderful restaurant downstairs. I will tell you more about it later.

Baguio is heavily reliant on the tourism trade and a little bit of surfing can help you find the best hotel for your taste and budget. There are a lot of places around that cater to every budget. Check out Baguio Palace Hotel and Pineview Hotel as well, located right in the heart of the city.

Inn Rocio offers budget stays for smaller groups and is about 10 to 15 minutes away from the city center.

Victory Liner also offers a package deal with their partner inn, Microtel. Ask if you can get a discount if you choose to ride with Victory Liner.

Baguio’s members only Country Club has a lot of cottages available for rent in the surrounding area. Camp John Hay’s 5-star hotel, the Manor, also offers resort-style service and world-class dining.

Putting on Your Walking Shoes: Getting Around the City

Settle in, have brunch and take a nap. Now it is time to get a look around. The relatively small scale of the city means that everything is around 10-20 minutes away from the center of town.

Experience the true Philippines and treat yourself to a jeepney ride! It will only cost you about PHP 8.50 for short trips. It requires a little bit of ingenuity and a little flexibility to scrunch down in a seat with about 9 other people but I promise that experience is once in a lifetime.

Most jeeps park in the Baguio market and have their destinations or routes written on the side of the vehicle.

One thing I really love about Baguio is the cab drivers. Most of them are really pretty nice. Fare is cheap, starting at PHP25.00, about $057 or 0.41 Euro, adding PHP1.50 or 2 cents per 4 kilometers. Go ahead and download a Google or Wiki map because for every nice cab driver, there is one douche who will bring you around in circles to increase the fare.

Unless you hire the cab for the day and negotiate a set rate, do not fall for the old it is 100PHP to get to a spot 20 minutes away trick. There is a meter for a reason and it is illegal for cab drivers to demand tips from you. Feel free to tip if your cab driver is exceptionally friendly or helpful.

Places to Eat

Eating is one of my favorite pastimes and I love spending money on good food. I also like to drink, so let me show you the best places to get drunk on and off a budget. I will be sharing my waterholes with you.

Red Lion Pub and Bar – Also known as my haunt, affectionately referred to as RL. Located near Fifty’s Diner (just tell the cab driver 50’s Diner or take a jeep heading to Mines View, you cannot miss it), this pub is the brainchild of Tony Perlas, a Filipino-American and his family.

Expats and call center agents like to hang out here since it is open 24/7. Beer is priced at 35PHP up. Good food and company! Red Lion also has rooms available for around 800PHP a night. I really like their shanghai lumpai and their bacon cheeseburgers. Wash it down with the Filipino favorite San Miguel Super Dry.

Hill Station – Casa Vallejo’s in house restaurant and one of the best fine dining areas in the city, Hill Station’s been open for barely a year and has already garnered rave reviews. Try their mint mojito for 120PHP, made from home-grown mint and really generous with the rum.

The peppery Tuna Tataki is great for munching on while waiting for your entrees. Get reasonably priced steak for around 525PHP. I recommend the Steak Peri-Peri and Salmon. Do not forget to try the desserts, especially Death by Chocolate and the Avocado Jalapeño ice cream. The ice cream is delicious—and homemade, despite the odd flavour, trust me.

Right next to the restaurant is a nifty bookstore, Mountain Cloud. It has been the answer to the prayers the little bookworm in my heart has been making for many many years. They have quite an eclectic selection, so everyone is sure to find something you like. Founded by book loving sisters, you are sure to find something you will love. Check out their website at http://www.mtcloudbookshop.com

This nifty combination of heart filling food and mind enhancing books can be found at the top of Session Road.

Mario’s – If you like Spanish food and great ambiance, you will love Mario’s. My family has been eating at Mario’s since I was a kid. It is a special occasion sort of thing. Their Mangoes Jubilee is really good and there will be a mini-show to go with your dessert. If you come in the colder months, ask to be seated next to the fire for a real Baguio experience.

Cafe by the Ruins – This Cafe was built next to the remains of house destroyed in World War II. They are very vegetarian friendly and offer fresh, delicious appetizers and entrees. Try the Carbonara and the squash appetizer! Take some of their homemade bread home with their trademark fish roe. I could eat that for breakfast every single day.

Pizza Volante – Everyone’s Italian pizzeria, they offer big servings at affordable prices. I am particularly fond of the Marengo Pizza and their version of Pasta Alfredo. Their salads are big, fresh and good for two. Rub shoulders with college students blearily trying to eat their way out of the night’s partying.

Pizza Volante is right next to Greenwich and Sizzling Plate in Session Road. They offer 24 hour delivery. You can call 074 445 0777 any time of the night or day.

Bliss Cafe/OMG – Bliss Cafe and Oh My Gulay are two of the best vegetarian restaurants out there. Oh My Gulay has wonderful veggie shawarma (pita wrapped rolls) and great chow mein pasta. Bliss Cafe’s selections are also quite delicious but people with big appetites should be prepared, the servings are pretty small in my opinion.

Oh My Gulay is located at the top of the La Azotea building right in the middle of Session Road. Bliss Cafe can be found in Hotel Elizabeth along Gibraltar Road heading up towards Mines View.

Ayuyang Bar – Rock bands regularly hold gigs at this very kitch and artsy bar. They often have art exhibits and special guest bands from around the country. The service here is very good, as are the cocktails. Try out their pizza, you will not regret it.

The Usual Suspects: Touristy Things to Do in Baguio

Be sure to take a walk around Burnham Park, designed in the early 20^th century by architect Daniel Burnham. Tai chi and other exercise classes take place there during the morning. Frisbee and football players have periodic games during the weekends. At night, the man-made lake in the middle of the park is lit from inside, perfect lighting for an early evening stroll.

Baguio is also famous for its horses. There are currently two places that provide horseback riding services, complete with a pony boy for the inexperienced and for children. Wright Park is located near Pacdal Circle, next to St. Joseph’s Church. Only here will you see punk pink ponies.

Trails to take vary depending on the experience of the rider but you can always count on the famous pony boys to give you instructions and guide you along. The Baguio pony boys are solid, smart and dependable. These guys will never scam or cheat you and a lot of them are exceptionally nice to children. Tipping is not required. Better yet, tip them and buy the horse a nice bag of feed or carrots! They will love you for it.

Veteran equestrians can also rent a horse and take in the city and the area on horseback.

John Hay’s trails are found near the Filling Station, a few kilometres from the entrance and the Cap Building. I really like the trail here. For about 300PHP, you can embark on a nice hilly walk through winding backcountry.

I always recommend horseback riding to families with young children, simply because it is a great experience for a young boy or a girl. Little girls especially have a thing for horses. I did and still do. Pony boys will normally give your child a nice walking horse who is not too fast. Be sure to inform them that your son or daughter has never ridden before.

If you are already in John Hay, check out the commissary to do some shopping.  If you are an avid photographer, the butterfly farm is a great place to take macro shots of flowers and vivid butterflies.

John Hay was once a US military base and you can still see the large influence on the road structure and the barrack-style houses. Walk or run around the area to get your fitness fix or go camping.

John Hay also features a par-69 golf course. Now, golf is normally members only but if you have to have your golf fix, the walk-in rate is 6000PHP for 18 holes.

John Hay offers a lot of dining areas too, so you really can spend a day here without having to leave.

The Baguio city market is also a great place to spend a morning. The produce here is really fresh and I personally go there to get lemongrass, fresh herbs and the fresh ground Benguet coffee. Benguet coffee is quite strong and makes for wonderful gifts to give back home.

If you are fond of plants and green growing things, be sure to visit the Orchidarium. You will find all sorts of plants and flowers that you might want to take home. They also make great, earth-friendly souvenirs.

Other popular tourist spots include Baguio’s Botanical Gardens, Mansion House and Easter Weaving School.

What Else Can I Do? – Other Activities Baguio has to Offer YOU

Ukay Ukay – Ukay-ukay is the Philippine’s answer to vintage shops. An eclectic mix of second hand clothing and surplus items at cheap prices draw crowds of people to Baguio every year.

During high season, prices tend to go up due to the large influx of tourists. The best shopping times are right after December, Easter and June to late October. This is when prices really hit rock bottom. Remember to bargain as much as you can, you can knock off the price by as much as half. Use all your powers. Smile, flirt, walk away until they give it.

I frequent three major ukay areas. Hilltop at the top of the public market has the best prices. You can go as low as 10PHP for a shirt. The best time to go is early in the morning before everyone else has ransacked the pile. And it really is a pile. You will need serious arm muscles to get through the loads of clothes.

For good quality clothes and prices, try Bayanihan. This is a series of shops located in a building right next to Igorot Park and a gas station. They have good quality jackets and shirts here. I would refrain from buying the shoes though, unless you have an eye for top quality.

For shoes, I go to Skyworld. This shop is right next to Greenwich and Pizza Volante in Session Road. I go here because the shoes are very high quality and half the price of designer shoes in malls.

Panagbenga— The Flower Festival or Panagbenga happens every February to March, a month long festival that celebrates all things Baguio. Several events are lined up for the duration of the month.

On the last week of March, they normally close down Session Road and set up stalls and carts. There are usually events, concerts and other cool things to do during this part of the year. The food is cheap and great too. Popular cafes and restos around Baguio usually set up mini booths around the town.

Party Places – For the party animal, Nevada Square and Legarda Road are the places to be. Dance the night away at Hex, Friday’s and Acid Bar in Nevada. This is where most teenagers and college age kids hang out to relax and party during Friday’s and Saturdays. Do not forget to try the famous Nevada Burger.

Nevada Square can be found on the road heading to Loakan. Just tell the cab driver Nevada and they will take you right there.

Legarda has long been the bar road of the city but it also has many restaurants and places to chill. Cafe Caridad is a restaurant with yummy food and cheap beer. Korean food fans can check out Red Devil. Rock and pop bands regularly play at Gilligan’s and 18 BC. If you like music, you should definitely head here.

Legarda is also quite convenient because a lot of hotels have made their home along the strip. It makes it easier for you to stumble back to your room after a hard night of partying.

SM Baguio – One of the prettiest malls in the country, SM Baguio is a great place to spend an afternoon and grab some souvenirs. I will not say much about it, except that the views are great and you should try Cottage Gi’s. They have really good cake.

Sabados – Find this shop behind Mansion House along Outlook Drive and you will find beautiful handcrafted furniture and pieces that you will love to take home.

Hand carved wooden furniture is the specialty of the crafters who live along Asin Road. These pieces are hewn out of hard and soft wood, polished to perfection and very varied. Designs range from traditional Cordilleran-style furniture to eclectic pieces that reflect the whimsy of the artist.

Off the Beaten Track: Travel along this Road for a Different Baguio Experience

Ben Cab’s Museum—Philippine National Artist Ben Cab set up this museum to showcase his art as well as that of other artists around the Philippines. It is so worth the P100 entrance. Immerse yourself in the ever-changing exhibits.

Ben Cab has one of the biggest collections of bul-ols (rice god statues) in the country. The paintings, photographs, sculpture and mixed media on display are the works of some of the premier artists in the Philippines. There are about four stories all in all so make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes.

The museum is not just a museum. It is also an extension of Ben Cab’s home. The extensively landscaped gardens are a treat to the eye. They also have an aviary. I am not kidding. It is awesome.

Downstairs, Cafe Salud’s menu is healthy, vegetarian friendly and just the thing after an entire day of touring.

Asin Hot Springs—These natural hot springs are surrounded by resort areas and pools. Spend a day here and have a leisurely hot soak. It is a great options for families or for the hiker who wants to get rid of a few lingering aches and pains. It is a 30 minute ride by jeep from town, so it is quite easy to get to.

The Balatok Mine Experience—My friends from Manila were here the other week and surprise, surprise, they found something to do that I have never even heard of. Take a trip to Balatok Mines.

Get a chance to ride around the mine cars the way old-time Filipino miners did to dig up gold. I can hear you thinking, so? Here is the fun part: you get to blow up part of the mine for the all around experience!

It is a 45 minute drive from the city by jeep and the tour starts at 2 PM, so be early and ready to be a miner for a day.

Regardless of what you decide to do or where you decide to stay, Baguio has a lot of things to offer. Relax, enjoy the sights and do not forget to charge your camera batteries! You are sure to have a wonderful time.

Online Payment Protection Pointers

The Internet has provided a very viable business environment for any entrepreneur who is willing to delve into the virtual world to make a buck. This is especially so in today’s hard times, where more and more people are getting laid off from work.

The world of online businesses, however, is not a perfect one. Just like the real world, there will be frauds, thieves and hi-tech crooks that are on the constant lookout for people to steal from. Do yourself a favor and protect yourself. If you want to keep your money and your online business intact, then keep these basic online payment protection pointers in mind:

Basic Computer Protection

The first thing you need to do to protect your business is to protect the computer you are using. Hi-tech crooks use malicious software in compromised websites and programs to gain access to your computer. Once they have gained access to your computer, they can quickly and efficiently scan it for details about your bank account or credit card. Once they have those, it will only take a matter of minutes for them to milk them dry. This is why you need reliable firewall protection, updated anti-virus software and at least basic knowledge of Internet-surfing safety procedures. Get these before you even think of conducting online business.

Online Payment Services
Online payment services like PayPal, AlertPay and Digital River allow you to make and accept payments without compromising your bank account.

These companies specialize in online transactions and signing up for their services allow you to make transactions without having to expose your bank account or credit card number to total strangers. This makes it a lot harder for criminals to identify and target your accounts. And besides, these companies know a lot more about the business of protecting private and confidential information on the ‘net than your casual online entrepreneur.

Identity Theft Insurance
Identity theft insurance companies will help you protect your account details, while reimbursing your losses if crooks do manage to get into your account.

If your business is quickly becoming profitable and your credit is steadily building up, you may want to invest in professional measures to protect your funds. Identity theft insurance companies typically provide you with extra identity security measures, as well as insurance if your accounts do get compromised under their watch. This comes highly recommended for any entrepreneur whose business reaches well into the seven or higher six digits of income a year.

Holding Payments in Escrow
Your customers or business contacts can easily run away from their financial obligations, and you need to protect yourself from that.

Spending hundreds of dollars and many hours of precious time in a legal battle is not worth the $20 or $30 bill that is left unpaid, yet these can put a serious drain on your profits in the long-run. Having payments held in escrow by a neutral third party will protect you from the frauds who want to run off with your money while leaving you high and dry.

Three Simple Tips to Get your Ex Back

A lot of things can go wrong in a relationship, and couples frequently break up because of these things. Whether they are due to a person’s limitations or they come from sources completely out of a person’s control, the question remains – do you want to get back together?

If the answer to that question is yes, here are a few simple tips to help you along the way:

Don’t be bitter; do be Accepting
The first mistake people make during a breakup is to be bitter about it while ignoring the destructive effects of their behavior.

This bitterness manifests itself in many ugly forms, from silent denial to outward expressions of anger. The easiest way to tell if you are bitter is to look into your reactions when the topic of your break-up comes up in a discussion. If these reactions are motivated by anger and resentment leading to destructive behavior, then you can officially consider yourself a bitter person.

The break-up has happened, and you have to learn to accept that fact. Moaning and groaning about the lost relationship will only destroy the relationship in the long run. If you truly want your partner back, redirect your energies away from destructive behavior into constructive methods to repair the relationship. This will bring you towards the first steps in getting your ex back.

Don’t Pander; Do Change
If there is one thing you must not do, it is to become pathetically desperate in getting your ex back.

Lowering yourself and getting on your knees to bring back the relationship is not worth it. You are a human being who deserves much more than that, and you should always remember that. No love is worth trading your humanity for it, and a partner who demands such humiliation is definitely not worth the effort.

Change is a completely different matter, and you can accomplish this by opening up various channels of communication with your partner. Find out exactly what went wrong, and you will know what you need to change in order to get your ex back. Just remember that this goes both ways, as you may have particular problems with your ex as well.

Don’t Pressure; Do Repair
Pressuring your partner to return to you will not help, as the relationship will just become worse than it was before.

Petty acts of vengeance and expressions of pain and hurt will not pressure your ex to love you. Your ex may come back to you, but this will be out of obligation rather than true love. You will just find your relationship spiraling deeper and deeper into problems, and you will never truly be happy with one another.

Love is a process that requires time and effort, which is why taking a calm but steady approach is key to repairing a broken relationship. Take the time to digest fully the implications of repairing relationship and brace yourself for what you need to do. Keep this in mind, and you will make sure that your relationship will come out stronger than ever before.

Safely Lowering Your Monthly Insurance Premiums

Insurance is a necessary evil nowadays. A person has to sacrifice a bit of money each month to cover for any unfortunate accident. You are, however, given the option to reduce the monthly premiums by taking steps, like raising deductibles and switching plans.

There is a catch to doing this, though.

You could end up regretting your decision to tamper with your insurance policy, and you may find yourself in some serious trouble when you actually find yourself needing the insurance coverage. This is why you need to balance between cutting corners and maintaining a sound insurance plan to cover your needs.

So without further, here are a few simple but effective tips in safely lowering your monthly insurance premiums:

Keep safe and healthy
The first step to lowering your insurance is to show the company you are a low-risk target. Keeping out of accidents, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting a low-risk job and generally keeping a clean record will help in decreasing the ‘risk’ rating an insurance company will place on you. Make sure to bring this up during negotiations, since you have to take the initiative in asking for lower premiums. An insurance company will definitely not do that for you, so be confident in making the first move.

Conservatively raising deductibles
Raising deductibles is an easy way of lowering your monthly premiums. You do have to realize, however, that you increase the financial burden upon yourself whenever you decide to raise your deductibles. Make sure that you have a set amount of money in the bank if you decide to do so, otherwise you may find yourself unable to pay the steep deductibles when you manage to find yourself in trouble.

Conscientiously foregoing excess coverage
Certain insurance policies, like your health and car insurance, have overlaps in coverage. Go over the terms and conditions of your insurance policy carefully, especially if you have multiple policies, and cross out any overlapping coverage. It is highly recommended that you do this while consulting an expert in insurance laws and contracts, as some overlapping policies may be differentiated only by semantics. Insurance companies are particularly adept at hiding behind words, so be very careful when you decide to cut off what you perceive as excess coverage.

Switching insurance plans
Switching insurance plans is a great way to lower premiums. There are, however, certain unscrupulous insurance companies that tend to hide behind semantics and the fine print to get away from their financial obligations. Again, an expert in insurance laws and contracts is highly recommended to review the policies being offered to you. You also need to carefully scrutinize the background of the new insurance company you are signing up with. Older, more established insurance companies are a safer bet, while newer companies only have their track records to show for their efficiency.

And there you have it, four simple but effective tips in safely lowering your monthly insurance premiums. Keep them in mind, and you will be able to save money while still maintaining a degree of safety and security.

The Wii is arguably one of the most successful entries in the current console wars between Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. The unique remote control that the Wii introduced when it first came out in 2006 gave it a definite edge over its competitors and even the unique name of the Wii (pronounced ‘we’) has earned enough merit for itself to stand out among its more traditional peers.

Yet the uniqueness of the Wii is not the only factor that led to its widespread dominance in the international market. Nintendo’s gaming approach to the public was the star of the show, reaching out to wider demographics than their contemporaries.

Novice-friendly Marketing
While Sony and Microsoft held the lead in the previous console wars with the Playstation 2 and the Xbox, Nintendo knew that it would be ineffective to try and force them into the solid market that their competitors had already established.

So they decided to reach out to a totally different market.

Instead of targeting the existing gamers already present, they decided to try and reach out to non-gamers and get them interested to play. As the old Wii ad goes, ‘Wii would like to play’ says everything about how Nintendo approached the business.

From your high-class urbanites to rustic ranchers, this commercial had highlighted that everyone could play the Wii the way they wanted to. The standard stereotype of the reclusive and obsessed gamer had been demolished, as the Wii had redefined gaming into a field that anyone can have a hand in.

Innovative Interaction
Typical console controllers were limited to the basic design introduced in the early 70’s. Improvements were made, but no major changes had been implemented until the Wii remote came along.

Most of the novice-friendly nature of the Wii was because of the innovation in the controller’s accelerometers and infrared detectors. The remote could then be monitored in three dimensional spaces while the sensor bar of the console itself would pick up the motions. This then allowed for a more flexible degree of interaction, which in turn allows new players to quickly pick up the gist of a game they pick up. Because of this, Nintendo had designed a gaming console that everyone can easily pick up and play, as a player would have to actively move his or her body to influence the game being played.

Colorful Variety
The final touch of the Wii was in the selection of games it had at its disposal, and they had decided to go with a variety of games to maximize their controller’s innovative nature.

While traditional controllers limited the nature of the games they would handle, the Wii’s ability to work with motion tracking had helped to redefine games. Instead of merely controlling a boxer in the ring, the player can have an active hand in actually doing the punching and dodging. Archery, gunfights, swordfights and even bowling have all received a similar treatment, and this revolution in game play is what helped establish the Wii’s global dominance in the market.

As far as gaming is concerned, Nintendo is having a field day with its latest console as players of all ages, genders and professions have been introduced to the world of gaming. If the innovations of the Wii are a sign of where console games are heading to, then the future of the gaming industry is going to be a promising one indeed.

Gold and silver has always been some of the oldest and most reliable mediums of trade since mankind became civilized. Currencies have come and gone, but you can depend on these precious metals to keep your financial assets valuable and liquid even during the most troubling of times.

So whether you are looking to make some money in the short term or are looking to preserve your financial assets for your retirement, here are a few reasons for you to invest in precious metals:

Trade
The price of precious metals fluctuate with each passing day or minute, depending on how often you wish to look into your business. This makes them akin to stocks, where you can buy and sell to make a nice tidy profit, and is especially lucrative if you have access to many markets that engage in the business of trading precious metals.

International
The global appeal of such precious metals is one example of the ‘many markets’ that was discussed earlier. The value of precious metals is recognized by any country around the world, and its value can even shift depending on where you are. You can bring your gold coins or silver ingots along with you, and you can expect it them to have substantial financial value no matter where you are.

Longevity
Although a particular currency may have value right now, we cannot say if the current financial system will survive the next few decades or not. One such example is the current financial crisis, where millionaires have become homeless overnight. Gold and silver, on the other hand, can and will stand the test of time. They depend on their inherent value as precious metals, and do not depend on any particular type of financial structure to maximize their worth.

Value
If you look back at the price of gold and silver a few decades back, you will notice that they were substantially less than what they are worth today. If the current financial system continues to exist for some time to come, then you can expect gold and silver to continue improving in value as time passes. This is especially since the natural reserves of these substances are quickly being depleted as time passes.

Liquidity
Investing in financial assets makes it costly and time-consuming to convert them to cash. Precious metals, on the other hand, can quickly be sold for quick cash. This can be done with minimal losses to your assets, even when these precious metals are not at the peak of their value. This is because the value of gold and silver tends to go on an upward trend with the passage of time.

Beauty
Precious metals like gold and silver are one of the few investment options that can be a joy to behold. Investing in coins is the most popular method of collecting precious metals, and the value of such coins will even increase with the passage of time. This means you can appreciate the beauty of your investments while watching it grow in value over time.

Precious metals will stand the test of time, they will be globally recognized, and they are a beauty to behold. Keep that in mind if you are a person who wants to preserve or increase his or her financial assets.

A foreclosure is never an easy process for a homeowner to go through, and I know just how painful the entire ordeal is. Nobody wants to lose the home they have made their lifetime plans in, and will do everything they can to get it back.

Yet I have noticed a lot of people who have suffered through so much more in an attempt to regain something they cannot hope to maintain. There is a reason a person’s home is foreclosed, and some of my clients simply refuse to face the reality that they are incapable of fixing up these reasons.

When to redeem your home
If you have a stable source of income and you will be able to make future payments in some future time, the chances of you being able to redeem your home are pretty high.

The reason why homes are foreclosed for these reasons are because of sudden and unexpected financial problems. There are certain accidents or unfortunate events that will require a significant amount of money to address. These events, however, must be resolved quickly and finally if you wish to redeem your home in time. This is especially important since California’s right of redemption laws vary from case to case, while the typical timeline for payments can run from one year to as short as two months.

As painful as it is, I would recommend people let go of their homes when they no longer have the means to regularly make the payments.

Considering California’s relatively stiff foreclosure laws, it would be to your best interest to look elsewhere for housing when this should happen to you. This is especially so for individuals who have lost their jobs to the financial crisis. If you are keen to keep your home, however, you should immediately find some way to supplement your income to redeem your home. Once you can make payments, you should then move quickly to start negotiations with your bank if you can still make it in time.