Guides

Practical, plain-English guides on money, work, gaming, online safety and technology in the Philippines.

Money & work

• Christmas on a Budget: A Simple Plan for Filipino FamiliesHow to plan your Christmas spending in the Philippines — gifts, Noche Buena, aguinaldo for inaanak — without starting January in debt.
• 13th Month Pay in the Philippines: Who Gets It and How to Compute ItA plain-English guide to 13th month pay under Presidential Decree 851: who is entitled, how to compute it, when it is due, and how it is taxed.
• Holiday Pay in the Philippines: Regular Holidays vs Special Non-Working DaysHow much you should be paid on regular holidays and special non-working days in the Philippines, with examples using a daily rate.
• SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and Tax: Your Payslip Deductions ExplainedWhat each deduction on a Philippine payslip is, how much you pay at 2025 rates, and how to check your take-home pay.
• How to Compute Overtime and Night Differential Pay in the PhilippinesStep-by-step computation of overtime pay, rest day pay and night shift differential under the Philippine Labor Code, with worked examples.
• The 50/30/20 Budget Rule on a Filipino SalaryHow to use the 50/30/20 budget rule with Philippine take-home pay, including family support, with a worked example and simple adjustments.
• How to Build an Emergency Fund on a Filipino SalaryHow much emergency fund you need, where to keep it in the Philippines, and a step-by-step plan to build it even on a tight budget.
• Pag-IBIG MP2 Savings: How It Works and Who It SuitsA plain guide to the Pag-IBIG MP2 voluntary savings program: who can join, minimum savings, the 5-year term, dividends and payout options.
• Add-On vs Diminishing Balance Interest: How Much Does Your Loan Really Cost?Many Philippine lenders quote add-on rates that look cheap but cost almost twice as much. Learn the difference and how to compare loan offers.
• Sending Money Home: How OFWs Can Get More Pesos Per RemittanceHow to compare remittance services, avoid hidden exchange rate costs and scams, and get more pesos to your family in the Philippines.
• Peso Exchange Rates Explained: Why Your Bank Rate DiffersWhat the peso exchange rate means, why banks and money changers give different rates, and how to get a fair rate when you exchange or pay abroad.
• What Is the PSEi? A Beginner's Guide to the Philippine Stock MarketWhat the PSEi measures, how to start investing in Philippine stocks with a small amount, and the basic risks every beginner should know.

Gaming

• "Free Robux" and Other Gaming Scams: How to Spot and Avoid ThemThe most common gaming scams targeting Filipino players — free Robux, free diamonds, fake top-ups and account trades — and how to stay safe.
• How to Protect Your Gaming Accounts from HackersSimple steps to keep your Roblox, Mobile Legends, Valorant, Steam and other gaming accounts safe: passwords, two-step verification and safe logins.
• Roblox Safety for Parents: Settings, Spending and Talking to Your KidsA practical Roblox safety guide for Filipino parents: account settings, chat and spending controls, and the conversations that keep kids safe.
• Valorant for Beginners: Agents, Economy and Tips to Win More RoundsA beginner-friendly Valorant guide: how a match works, the four agent roles, the buy economy and simple habits that win more rounds.
• Dota 2 for Beginners: Roles, Last Hits and How to ImproveA plain Dota 2 guide for new players: what you are trying to do, the five positions, last hits and denies, and how to keep improving.
• Healthy Gaming Habits for Kids and TeensPractical tips for healthy gaming: breaks, sleep, posture, eyes, spending and balancing games with school — for players and parents.

Scams & online safety

• E-Wallet and Text Scams in the Philippines: How to Protect Your MoneyHow to spot and avoid common e-wallet, bank and text message scams in the Philippines — phishing links, fake promos, wrong-send tricks and OTP theft.
• AI Scams: How to Spot Deepfake Videos and Voice-Clone CallsScammers use AI to fake videos of celebrities and clone the voices of family members. Learn the warning signs and a simple family safety plan.
• How to Spot Fake News: A Practical Checklist for Filipino ReadersA simple checklist to tell real news from fake news, misleading headlines and edited photos before you share them on Facebook or group chats.

Tech & AI

• How to Use AI Chatbots for School and Work (Without Getting Into Trouble)A practical guide to AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot: what they are good at, their limits, privacy, and using them honestly for school.
• How to Write Better AI Prompts: 7 Simple TipsGet better answers from ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and other AI tools with seven easy prompt-writing tips and before-and-after examples.

Weather & safety

• PAGASA Typhoon Signals Explained, Plus a Go-Bag ChecklistWhat PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals 1 to 5 and rainfall warnings mean, what to do at each level, and what to pack in an emergency go-bag.

Free calculators

Work out the numbers with our free online calculators — loans, savings, 13th month pay and more.