How to Issue Checks

Probably wonder what is the use of checking account and why you need to have one. This payment instrument is slowly declining with some countries like Sweden and other European countries no longer accepting checks. But not in Pinas.

In the Philippines, common uses of checks are in the real estate industry. If you need to rent a place especially a condominium, your landlady may require you to give her 12 Post Dated Checks (PDCs) containing the rent amount and the date on which she can encash or deposit this checks. If buying a condominium, your agent may asked you to prepare 5 years worth of PDCs for your monthly payments. Some suppliers may require checks as their preferred payment. Your ninang may even gift you a check.

Filling Out a Check

First things first, how do you write a check. Assuming you already applied and got approved for a checking account and you have received your checkbook, how will you issue a check? Using the image below as a guide, it’s pretty straightforward.

1. Write the valid name of the recipient/payee. The technical term is Payee. This should be the same as how it appears a government issued ID.

2. Write the date in the correct format.

3. Write the Amount in Words and Figures. They must match.

4. Sign the check with your valid signature.

   Note that if any of this information is incorrect, it will render the check invalid

Why Checks?

You might think that this product is archaic with all the digital payments available. But there are reasons why checks in the Philippines is still prevalent.

• Our country protects the receivers of check payments. The Bouncing Check Law (Batas Pambansa Bilang 22) protects the payee when checks do not have sufficient funds in the account it was issued from.

• It is a guaranteed payment. Apart from the law protecting the recipient, banks will charge the issuer at least Php2000 for every check that do not have sufficient amount in its source account.

• For large amounts that cannot be done using Fund Transfer, the safest form of payment is through check.

• If the offended party can prove that someone has committed a fraudulent act through the use of checks, that person can be charged with Estafa.

Some questions.

1. Do checks expire? Yes, there is such thing as your check going stale. That is if after 6 months, you haven’t deposited or encashed it.

2. Can I deposit checks without going to the bank? Some banks have what is known as Remote Capture Deposit. You basically take a photo of your check and input details manually in the app. Check with your bank if they offer this feature.

3. Can I receive checks even without a bank account? Yes. You have to encash it to the bank of the drawer/payor and bring a valid ID that matches the payee name on the check.

There you have it. By now you are familiar with the basics of the check and how to issue one. Next time we can talk about clearing of checks.

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5 Tips to Maximize Your Home Space

When my husband and I moved to our first home, like most couples, we rented out a small space near his office. As condo-dwellers, we get frustrated over how small spaces have become in the last decades. The luxury of space is no longer ours to have in the city. With the horrible traffic, we want to be close to our workplace as possible. People are willing to pay a little bit more in order to save some precious time to be with family, attend to a hobby or simply have enough time to rest and sleep.

Here are my top 5 space-saving tips for you home today:

1. Pick white.

Paint your wall white if possible. Do you see all the gorgeous white rooms on Instagram and design blogs? White works for multiple reasons. It makes a tiny space look bigger than it actually is. It makes colors of things at your home pop out. There's a reason why canvas is white. For me, there's nothing like white and plants. A person tired out from work would enjoy the smell and view of greens over white. So when you can, choose white or light-colored supporting furnitures like cabinets and shelves for your home. Ikea Trone, Ikea Kvissle and Ikea Lerberg are my favorites. Since there is no contrast in terms of color, these furnitures look like they are part of the white walls.

2. Think Vertical.

Graphic designer Anne Golliher said, "Though our house is small, filling the walls with pieces we love makes the rooms feel layered, inviting, cozy and reflective of our family,” 

 Do you have a hallway? Put the walls into use by installing Ikea Trones and shelves.  The Trones' narrow width are ideal for small space.  Originally designed to store shoes, I use them to store easy-to-grab items like my husband's sports apparel and my class and org stuff. I used the top item to store labeled glasses, books etc. On top of the Trones, you can install shelves that will house the , some books or even printer. Install the shelf at a height where you won't need a step stool to reach for the items. When I need my printer, I bring it down, use it and bring it up again.

Leave a space underneath the Trones for a trash bin, a stool, a laundry bin etc.

Use your wall to hang paintings, family keepsakes, even the husband’s bike. Hang cook wares. And don't forget to hang some greenery.

3. Label label label. Stack stack stack.

I've purchase transparent stack-able shoes boxes to group and store items we used for organizing and decorating. Labels are called "Crafty Tools", "Crafty Papers/Ribbons", "Hardy Tools" and even seldom used "Travel Items". Since you can stack one box on top of another, the labels help you to locate easily what you're looking for .

I've also labeled some plastic glasses to organize cables. I've one for printer, another for microphone, another for general. This system helps me put those cables back in place.

I create homemade all-purpose cleaner made of vinegar, alcohol and water. I've stuck the instructions on my "staging" container so I don't have to grab the recipe elsewhere.

4. Minimize opportunity for clutter.

When you have a tiny home, resist the temptation of creating more counter tops that invites chaos. Opt for narrow, contained furnitures like  Ikea Bekvam Spice Racks to act as your dresser, book holder and phone charging station.

Store items you often use at the topmost drawer, and those that are hardly used at the bottom. 

Organize your furnitures so that it opens up space in your home, and allow for light and air to flow.

Make sure that each item knows (you know) where it lives. Where does that mortar and pestle live? How about the coffee maker? Not having enough space at our place makes us remember where to put back items when they are no longer needed.

5. Create Efficient Systems.

Built on  the premise "out of sight, out of mind", Our Whiteboard+Magnet holds our "To Do", "To Buy" and "To Pay" list.

Our Filing System makes use Ikea Kvissle to segregate Supplies (Bond Paper, Envelopes),Documents, Bills Paid, Invitations/Flyers etc. You can also name-code each cubby, or put initials for quick dropping whatever document you have.

We have a replenishment system for toiletries. This allows us to shop toiletries once every 2 months so that wewon't run out of your make-me-pretty tools.

I will write more on these systems in my next blog.

How about you? What are your favorite space-maximizing tips for your home?