Tuesday, June 18, 2013

For Rent in Abu Dhabi


I just want to share you some tips I learned from transferring house for 3 times now since January of this year. 




Where to find rooms for rent?

The first thing I do is visit. http://abudhabi.dubizzle.com/. There are hundreds of rooms for rent ad in this site. You can filter the ads according to price, location, furnished, and attached bath. It is where I found my two rooms. This site is reliable when you are searching for accommodation.
If you were not able to find the room you desire in dubbizzle, walk along Hamdan Road where you will find many flyers posted at the bus stops or building walls.

Based on experience Room Rentals:
Bed Space  = AED 500 – AED 950
Room Sharing = AED 1200 – AED 1600
Maid’s Room = AED 1200 – AED 1600
Maid’s Room attached bath = AED 1500 – AED 2300
Normal Rooms = AED 2300 – AED 2600
Master Bedroom = AED 2800 – AED 3800
Salon = AED 4000 and up


The rent usually comes with free water, electricity, and optional free offer for wifi, TFC, gas for cooking, use of fridge and microwave oven.  

Where to buy cheap bed, mattress and other room furniture?
For the cheapest bedroom furniture, you can go to Electra at the backside of LL Hospital. I bought our double sized bed, medical mattress and 3 door cabinet for only AED 800 free delivery and bed fixing in our room. Our friend shared a strategy in buying from these shops so you will get the best price.

Choose the furniture you want. Tell the salesman that it is so good, amazing and you really like it. Ask him for the price. Initially he will give you expensive price. Ask him for discount. He will then offer you a lower price. This time, tell him the price that fits your budget. If he will not agree with your price, walk out of the shop and tell him you’ll check first for other shops and you will just come back. He will now run after you, give you a lower price, he will bargain some more with you. Note down the last price he will offer. Check for other shops and do the same. Choose the shop with the lowest price. Now you can buy your furniture from the shop with the lowest offer.

For Rent in Abu Dhabi

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Benefits of PAG-IBIG MUTUAL FUND


Saving in mutual fund is now mandatory to all Overseas Filipino Workers. Before we are able to get our OEC, we need to be a member Home Development Mutual Fund or most commonly known as  PAG-IBIG. Some OFW's think that this saving system is another money making business for the Philippine government. Some will just comply and be a member just to get their OEC, but never funded for their PAG-IBIG Account. Some OFW's take this as additional expense to be included in their monthly budget. An OFW mentality that should be corrected.  PAG-IBIG overseas program is mandated by law to prepare for your retirement and you can have an opportunity to own our own house. There are many OFW's after more than 10 years of working abroad still don't have their own houses. Here are some more information you need to know about PAG-IBIG Fund.



What Philippine Law covers mandatory PAG-IBIG membership of OFW's?

This law is under Republic Act No. 9679 that aims to improve the lifestyle of Filipinos in providing fund for housing programs and implementing a nationwide saving system through PAG-IBIG Mutual Funds. R.A. 9679

What are the benefits of PAG-IBIG members?

1. Guaranteed savings by the Philippine government for your future.

Whatever happens to PAG-IBIG Funds, the government guaranties that all your contributions will be returned to you.Your monthly contributions or savings with PAG-IBIG Fund also earn annual dividends, TAX FREE. The dividend rate varies depending on the net income of PAG-IBIG at the year end.Assuming 5% dividend rate is given, please refer to the Table 1 provided below. (flyer is officially distributed by Abu Dhabi Philippine Emabassy)



2. Housing Program

An active OFW member of PAG-IBIG can easily avail the housing loan. A member should have at least 24 months contribution to avail the housing program. Members can apply up to Php3,000,000 housing loan depending on the monthly contribution, with low interest rate and low monthly amortization for 20-30 yeasr. Please refer to Table 2 provided above. Housing loan may be used for the purchase of residential house and lot,condo units, townhouse, construction or completion of residential unit on a titled  lot owned by the member and home improvement.


3. Short Term Loans (Multi-purpose Loan)

PAG-IBIG Fund also provides short term loans to cater your emergency needs like tuition fees, minor home repairs, capital for business, vacation budget, etc.. Below is a sample of how much money you can borrow from


Monthly Contribution
No. of Months
Amount of Multi-Purpose Loan*
P100 - P300
24 - 60  
61 - 120
P1,440 - P10,800
 P4,270- P25,200
P400 - P600
24 - 60
 61 120
P5,760 - P21,600
P17,080 -P50,400
P700 - P900
24 - 60
61 - 120
P10,080 - P32,400
P29,890 - P75,600
P1,000 - P1,200
24 - 60
61 - 120
P14,400 - P43,200
P42,700 - P100,800


The big issue of all kabayans, how or where to start?

Visit the Abu Dhabi Philippine Embassy and go directly to the first door on your left upon entering the embassy main entrance. Fill-up the PAG-IBIG Application form. Our kabayans will be assisting you there. After submitting the accomplished form with your original passport, they will give you your OFW PAG-IBIG Account Number. Kalas! You can now start saving your hard earned money. You can deposit it through UAE Exchange, Al Ansari, Al Falah Exchange, Al Ahalia Exchange.

You may contact these numbers for more information  - 971 2 639-0026/ 050 357 6308

Abu Dhabi-OFW-PAG-IBIG Fund for OFW